James Terry Court

Updated 15 October 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

Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. 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

James Terry Court 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. James Terry Court 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

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 they were registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 spoke with eight people using the service and two relatives. We asked them for their views about the safety and quality of care and support provided to people at the service. We observed interactions between people and staff to understand people’s experiences. We spoke with the senior staff team which included the registered manager, the deputy manager, the business relationship manager, the training manager, the facilities manager and the provider’s health and safety director. We also spoke with two team leaders, six care support workers, the chef and four staff responsible for housekeeping. We reviewed a range of records. This included six people's care records, records relating to medicines management, five staff recruitment files, staff training and supervision information and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 15 October 2022

About the service

James Terry Court is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 76 people. The service provides support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 58 people using the service.

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

People were safe at the service. Staff knew how to safeguard people from abuse and keep them safe from identified risks to their safety and wellbeing.

There were enough staff to support people and meet their needs. The registered manager was taking action to review and increase staffing levels as people’s needs changed. Recruitment and criminal records checks were carried out on staff to make sure they were suitable to support people. We noted decisions to employ staff had not been formally recorded, where a gap in information or concern about their previous employment had been identified. The registered manager was taking action to address this going forwards.

Health and safety checks were carried out of the premises and equipment to make sure they were safe. The premises was clean and tidy. Staff followed infection control and hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections. Although staff did not routinely wear face masks at the service in line with current government guidance, the provider had taken action to ensure infection risks to people were mitigated.

People were involved in planning and making decisions about the care and support they required. People’s records set out their preferences for how their care and support needs should be provided. Staff understood how people’s needs should be met and provided the care and support which had been planned for people. Staff were provided with relevant training to help them meet people’s needs. Staff were well supported and encouraged to learn and improve in their role and to put people’s needs and wishes at the heart of everything they did.

Staff were kind, caring and treated people well. They supported people in a discreet and dignified way which maintained people’s privacy and independence. 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.

People were supported to stay healthy and well. Staff helped people to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to take their prescribed medicines. Medicines were managed safely. Staff supported people to manage their healthcare and medical conditions and made sure people could access support from healthcare professionals when needed. The service worked well with other healthcare professionals to ensure a joined-up approach to the care and support people received.

People were supported to participate in a wide range of activities and events at the service. Relatives and friends were free to visit people if they wished without any unnecessary restrictions. There were a range of comfortable spaces around the premises where people could spend time , when not in their room. Since our last inspection the provider had improved the premises to make this a more comfortable and pleasant place for people to live. Further refurbishment was planned.

The service was managed well. People and staff spoke positively about the management of the service, particularly the new registered manager who had been appointed since our last inspection. The registered manager and senior staff team were experienced and had a clear understanding of how people’s needs should be met. They undertook audits and checks at regular intervals, to monitor, review and improve the quality and safety of the service. The provider undertook their own checks of the service at regular intervals to make sure the service was meeting required standards.

There were systems in place to obtain feedback from people, staff and others about how the service could be improved. Accidents, incidents and complaints were fully investigated and people were informed of the outcome.

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 10 October 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Follow up

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