Cooksons Court

Updated 7 July 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 19 and 20 June 2018 and was unannounced. It was carried out by two adult social care inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the information in the PIR and also looked at other information we held about the service before the inspection visit.

During the inspection we spoke with 32 people who lived at the home, four visitors and 12 members of staff. We received written feedback from four visiting professionals. The registered manager was available throughout the inspection.

During the inspection we were able to view the premises and observe care practices and interactions in communal areas. We observed lunch being served in all areas of the home.

We looked at a selection of records, which related to individual care and the running of the home. These included four care and support plans, three staff files, records of complaints, minutes of staff and service user meetings, medication records and quality monitoring records.

Updated 7 July 2018

This inspection took place on 19 and 20 June 2018 and was unannounced.

At the last inspection of the service in February 2017 we found that improvements were needed.

We found people were at risk of receiving unsafe and ineffective care and treatment because care records relating to the management of risk were incomplete and not reflective of people’s needs.

We also found that systems in place to monitor and improve the service people received were not always effective in addressing shortfalls or sustaining improvements.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do, and by when, to improve the key questions safe, effective and well led to at least good. At this inspection we found improvements had been made in all areas identified as requiring improvement.

Cooksons Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Accommodation for people was provided in three separate units. Bramley provides care and accommodation to people who have basic nursing care needs. Russet accommodates people who have more complex nursing needs. Pippin is a specialist unit, run in partnership with the local NHS trust, to provide people with re-enablement support to facilitate hospital discharge and enable people to regain independence to return home.

Cooksons Court accommodates up to 65 in a purpose built home. At the time of the inspection there were 57 people living at the home. This included 18 people staying for re-enablement following discharge from hospital before returning to their own homes.

There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The management team and the provider had worked hard to ensure shortfalls in the service were identified and addressed through their quality monitoring systems. Action plans were put in place which were monitored to make sure changes made led to sustained improvements in the care people received.

People we spoke with praised the standard of care they received and said they would recommend the home. One person said, “Very nice. Couldn’t wish for better. Excellent in fact.” Another person commented, “I feel very lucky to be here and I’m very fussy.”

People felt safe at the home and comfortable with the staff who supported them. One person said they felt, “Safe and content.” Staff we spoke with were confident that any concerns raised would be dealt with promptly to make sure people were protected from the risks of abuse.

People were supported by staff who were kind and friendly. Staff received appropriate training to make sure they were able to care for people with varying needs and abilities. There were sufficient numbers of staff to effectively support people and ensure their safety.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff worked in accordance with up to date guidance to make sure people’s legal rights were protected.

Assessments of people’s care needs took account of their individual beliefs, culture and lifestyle choices. People were able to make decisions about their day to day care and their views were sought regarding the running of the home.

People’s healthcare needs were monitored by trained nurses and they had access to more specialist healthcare support to meet their specific needs. The staff worked in partnership with other professionals to promote people’s well-being and help them to achieve their goals.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed and met. People received meals in accordance with their dietary needs and preferences. People were positive about the food served at the home and told us there was always a choice of meals.

People were treated with respect and dignity. When people needed support with personal care this was provided in private and respectfully. One person told us, “They help me to get washed and dressed. They are very gentle and extremely respectful.”

There were opportunities for people to take part in a range of activities according to their interests and hobbies. One person told us how much they enjoyed the activities. They said, “There have been visits from llamas, donkeys and children. There’s lots of entertainment… Elvis is coming.”