Alexandra Care Home

Updated 24 August 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and a medicines inspector.

Service and service type

Alexandra Care Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Alexandra Care Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also observed interactions between staff and people who used the service. We spoke with 8 members of staff including the registered manager, nurses, carers and a representative of the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included people's care records and medication records. We looked at a selection of staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 24 August 2023

About the service

Alexandra Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 48 people. The service provides support to older people over two floors, fully accessible to all. At the time of our inspection there were 32 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Medicines were managed safely across the home. People told us they felt safe living at Alexandra Care Home. Clear procedures were in place for the reporting of incidents, accidents and safeguarding concerns to prevent further occurrences. Where a significant incident had taken place, detailed investigations took place and any improvement actions identified were implemented.

People spoke positively about the support they received from the staff team and said they were treated with dignity and respect. Effective procedures were in place for the safe recruitment of staff.

Risks to people's health and wellbeing had been assessed and guidance was available for staff to support people safely. Regular checks and maintenance of the service took place to provide a safe environment for people to live.

Governance systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality of care people were provided with. Through these systems, the registered manager had identified areas of improvement needed in the content and level of information needed in records and care planning documentation.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff felt supported in their role and regular meetings took place to share information about the service. The registered manager worked in partnership with other external agencies and professionals to promote and meet the needs of people living at the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 5 September 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted in part by information received from the coroner following investigations into the death of a person. As a result, we carried out this inspection to review changes made by the provider following their investigation.

We found evidence during this inspection that systems and procedures had been reviewed and changes implemented following the providers investigation.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The overall rating for the service remains good.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Alexandra Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Recommendations

We have recommended that the provider considers current guidance and continually reviews the quality and detail of records and takes action to update their practice accordingly.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.