Choice Care Home

Updated 4 November 2022

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

One inspector, an assistant inspector and an Expert by Experience inspected this service. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Choice 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. Choice Care Home is a care home without 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 not a registered manager in post. A new manager had been in post for 12 months and had submitted an application to register with the commission. We are currently assessing this application.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the manager, deputy manager, care workers and auxiliary workers. We also spoke to three relatives.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and five medicines records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 4 November 2022

About the service

Choice Care Home is a care home without nursing registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 32 people. People living at the service are mostly older people, some of whom may be living with dementia or physical disability. At the time of our inspection there were 32 people using the service.

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

The environment was safe and there was equipment available to support staff in providing safe care and support. Health and safety checks of the environment and equipment were in place. However, we found some areas of the service with clutter left around and some carpets heavily stained. The manager told us new flooring was being ordered for many areas in the service.

Medicines were ordered, stored and disposed of safely. However, one person who had a daily patch applied did not always have this placed in different areas on their body as required. The manager assured us they would discuss with staff and have a protocol put in place to ensure this happened.

We have made recommendations about the management of medicines. The report highlights the actions the provider had taken at the inspection.

People were supported by staff who completed an induction, received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely, including fire safety and dementia care training. Staff were recruited safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people’s needs were met. There was time for people to have social interaction and staff carried out activities to assist people. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm.

Records were accessible and up to date. The service used a computerised care planning system. The management and staff knew people well and worked together to help ensure people received a good service.

People told us they were happy with the care they received, and people said they felt safe living there. Comments from people included; “Yes I feel safe” while a relative said; “I’m happy he is safe and happy.” People looked relaxed, happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service.

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.

People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.

Records of people's care were individualised and reflected each person’s needs and preferences. Risks were identified, and staff had guidance to help them support people to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. People’s communication needs were identified, and where they wanted, people had end of life wishes explored and recorded.

Staff told us the manager and deputy manager was available, assisted them daily and helped cover shifts when some staff had been off with COVID-19. They went onto say how they were approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised. One relative said; “It is delightful here and I would recommend it and much has improved since (named manager) has been here.” While a staff member said; “(named manager) is not just a manager, she will do everything that we are doing.”

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 7 November 2018).

Why we inspected

We were prompted to carry out this inspection due to concerns we received about the service, staffing and management. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has not changed and remains good. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the Safe, Effective 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 Choice Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

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.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.