We carried out a review of the data available to us about Westwolds on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Westwolds, you can give feedback on this service.
Westwold is a residential care home providing personal care to 32 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service operated in a purpose designed building and specialised in supporting older people, and people who are living with dementia. The care home can support up to 34 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People lived in a care home that was generally clean and well maintained. However, we found two showers could potentially exceed safe temperatures and some radiators had surface temperatures likely to cause people to be burned if they accidentally fell against them. The provider told us they would immediately resolve those issues.
The number of night staff was found to be slightly fewer than the provider had assessed was necessary; since more people had recently moved into the care home. We discussed that with the registered manager who immediately increased the number of night staff deployed.
Medicines were generally well managed. However, we found the recording of controlled drugs was not in line with best practice guidelines and the registered manager told us they would address that immediately. Care staff understood how to keep people safe from abuse and understood the systems for ensuring people were safeguarded.
People made choices about the care they received from staff and received care which met their needs. The registered manager had successfully increased staff awareness of early intervention to prevent pressure wounds, and no one living at the care home had pressure wounds. Where people could not make decisions for themselves, the provider had appropriate best interest decision making procedures in place. Care plans were generally comprehensive, and staff received the training necessary to carry out their duties; additional training was available to staff who wished to develop their role.
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 told us they enjoyed the food that was provided. Alternative options were readily available, and staff understood people’s preferences. People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. People were supported to access community-based health care services when they needed to. People were encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and lived in a purpose-built care home which met their housing needs.
People were supported by staff who treated them with kindness and compassion. The staff provided care in ways which maintained people’s privacy, dignity and supported them to maintain their independence where possible. Activity staff provided a range of activities and encouraged people to join in so that potential social isolation would be reduced.
People received care that was responsive to their needs. Staff treated people as individuals and understood their individual requirements and life histories. Information was provided in a range of formats, so people could understand it, and staff took time to explain things to people verbally when required. People’s contact with family and friends was encouraged and supported by the provider. A complaints procedure was in place, which people understood how to use. End of life care was provided in a compassionate manner by the care staff.
The management of the service supported people to achieve good outcomes from the care they received. The registered manager provided supportive leadership and was regarded as being approachable and person centred. The provider recognised, and rewarded, staff who went the extra mile when providing care for people. The registered manager understood their responsibilities for being open and honest when something went wrong; and ensured the necessary notifications were made to the CQC and other relevant authorities. The provider asked people, and their relatives and staff, for feedback on the service which was then used to make improvements when necessary.
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 on 12 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
The service had a registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. 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.
People were supported by staff who understood the risks they could face and knew how to keep them safe. Risks to people’s health and safety were identified and action was taken when needed to reduce these. There were sufficient staff employed to meet people’s needs. People received their medicines as prescribed and these were managed safely.
People were supported by staff who received appropriate training and supervision and had an understanding of people’s care needs. People were supported to make choices and decisions for themselves. People who might lack capacity to make certain decisions were assessed to see if they did, and if needed decisions were made in their best interests.
People were provided with a nutritious diet which met their needs and were provided with any support they needed to ensure they had enough to eat and drink. Staff understood people’s healthcare needs and their role in supporting them with these.
People were cared for and supported by staff who respected them as individuals. Staff had caring relationships with people and respected their privacy and dignity. People were involved in planning and reviewing their own care and some people were supported by relatives in doing so.
People received individualised care and they were able to participate in meaningful interaction and activities. People’s care records would be improved if they contained more detail. People knew how to raise any complaints or concerns they had and felt confident that these would be dealt with.
People used a service which was flexible in accordance with their needs. The managers provided leadership that gained the respect of staff and motivated them as a team. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and make improvements when needed.