Background to this inspection
Updated
30 December 2020
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 Care Act 2014.
This was a targeted inspection to check the providers management of safeguarding, complaints and quality assurance. 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 team consisted of three inspectors (two inspectors visited the service and one inspector reviewed documentation remotely) 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.
Service and service type
Cooksditch House Nursing & Residential Home is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
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 used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 8 members of staff including the provider, registered manager, senior care worker, 3 care workers, receptionist and head of housekeeping.
We reviewed a range of records. This included training, safeguarding, complaints, cleaning and infection control records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
The Expert by Experience contacted 13 people, to gain their experience of the service. They spoke with 7 people living at the service and 6 family members.
Updated
30 December 2020
About the service
Cooksditch House Residential and Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 48 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. The service can support up to 55 people.
People’s experience of using this service
People received their medicines as prescribed by the doctor, due to improvements in the way that medicines were managed at the service.
Systems to assess and monitor the quality of the service had been strengthened, so they were effective in identifying and addressing shortfalls in service provision. When accidents, incidents or a complaint had been made, lessons learned meetings were held to reflect and consider if anything could have been done differently.
People did not have to wait long to receive staff support as staffing levels had been adjusted to meet their needs.
A new full-time activity coordinator had been employed who had developed a programme of activities based on what people enjoyed doing. People went on trips and their art work was displayed around the service. Links had been developed with the local community. Preschool children had visited, and people had made cakes to raise money for charity.
A programme of redecoration and refurbishment continued to benefit people. Signage was displayed to help people living with dementia find their way around their home.
People and their relative said staff knew them well and helped them to feel safe. Checks on staff helped to ensure only staff who understood the values and aims of the service were employed.
Staff received ongoing training and support to ensure they had the necessary skills and knowledge to meet people’s individual needs. A nursing assistant role had been developed to make sure there enough trained staff to support people. Nursing assistants shadowed qualified nurses and received additional training.
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 had access to health care services in a timely manner and there was strong partnerships working with a range of health care professionals. Positive feedback had been received from health care professionals about how their support was requested and acted on. The provider worked in partnership with other organisations and sought their advice to improve outcomes for people.
Staff knew people well and caring relationships had been developed. A dignity champion had been appointed to ensure staff understood how to treat people in a respectful manner.
People’s nutritional needs had been assessed and guidance available in people’s care plans. Mealtimes were social occasions where people sat together, and assistance could be given when needed.
Staff understood how to support people to have a pain free and comfortable end of life, with people around who were important to them.
Everyone said the service was well-led and that the registered manager and provider were approachable. The views of people and their relatives were regularly sought and acted on.
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 requires improvement (published 28 November 2018) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.