Appledown

Updated 7 December 2023

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

The inspection was carried out by an inspector.

Service and service type

Appledown is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under a contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Appledown 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 a registered manager in post.

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 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 met and spoke with 5 people living at Appledown. We also spoke with 5 care staff and the deputy manager and received information from the provider about maintenance plans. Following the site visit, we spoke with 3 people’s relatives by telephone.

We reviewed a range of records, including 2 people’s care records, medication records, staff recruitment and training records, maintenance plans, rotas and policies and procedures.

Updated 7 December 2023

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

Appledown is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 6 people. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 6 people.

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

Right Support

The service’s kitchen was dated and worktops and flooring were damaged and difficult to clean. Staff recognised this environment did not provide a positive environment to support people in developing new skills.

Following feedback, action was taken to make improvements to the kitchen environment prior to its planned replacement in the summer of 2024.

We have recommended the provider implement additional systems to ensure the service’s environment consistently supports people’s wellbeing.

People received their medicines as prescribed. However, we have recommended the service seek guidance on how to monitor the conditions in which medicines are stored.

People had choice and control in 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 effectively to make meaningful decisions and choices.

People were supported to access medical appointments and regular heath checks. People were encouraged to act upon advice from health professionals but were able to make unwise decisions.

Right Care

People had told us they felt safe and staff responded promptly to people’s requests. Staff had a detailed understanding of people’s individual needs and enjoyed their role in supporting people to be as independent as possible.

People were protected from all forms of abuse and discrimination by the dedicated staff team. The service had enough skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.

Right Culture

People and relatives were complementary of the service’s compassionate culture. The staff team were well trained and dedicated to meeting people’s needs. Staff knew people well and were able to communicate effectively with people using appropriate aids as necessary.

Managers provided effective leadership, guidance and support to the staff team.

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 28 December 2018).

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.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Appledown on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Recommendations

We have made recommendations about the storage of medicines and the management of the service’s environment.

Follow up

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