18 October 2022
During a routine inspection
People’s experience of using this service
People were not suitably protected from harm because the risks they might face were not always properly assessed and managed. This meant staff did not always have access to enough sufficiently detailed guidance to help them keep people they support safe.
The provider had established governance and monitoring systems in place however, these were not always operated effectively. This meant the provider had failed to always identify and take appropriate action to prevent people living in the care home being placed at risk of harm. This included staff working excessively long hours without taking sufficient time off to rest and recuperate, staff not always wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and not always respecting the privacy of people living in the care home.
In addition, records the provider is meant to keep and make available to the CQC on request were not always made immediately accessible on request.
Furthermore, staff were not always adequately supported and supervised by their line managers. This was because staff did not have sufficient opportunities to routinely reflect on their working practices and professional development.
People were kept safe from abuse. The provider ensured there were always sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff to support people and keep them safe. People received personal care and support from staff whose fitness to work in adult social care had been checked. People received their medicines as they were prescribed.
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 were supported to access food and drink that met their dietary needs and wishes. People were supported to stay emotionally and physically healthy and well, and to access relevant community mental health and social care services as and when they needed to.
People were treated equally and had their diversity respected, including their cultural and spiritual needs and wishes. People typically described staff as “kind”. People were encouraged and supported to maintain their independent living skills and to do as much for themselves as they were willing and capable of doing safely.
People's care plans were person-centred, which helped staff provide them with the individualised care and support they needed. Staff ensured they communicated and shared information with people in a way they could easily understand. People were encouraged to make decisions about the care and support they received at the care home and staff respected their informed choices. Where appropriate, people's end of life wishes and contacts were known and recorded for staff to refer to.
The registered manager promoted an open culture which sought the views of people, their relatives and staff. The provider worked in close partnership with other health and social care professionals and agencies to plan and deliver people's packages of care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at the last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 26 August 2021).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staffing, building maintenance, food and social activities. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements.
You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
Enforcement and Recommendations
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.
We have identified 3 breaches at this inspection in relation to how the provider assessed and managed risk, operated their oversight and scrutiny systems and ensured records they were expected to keep were always easily accessible, and supported and supervised staff.
We have also made some recommendations in relation to how the provider manages ‘as required’ medicines and arranges meaningful social activities for people to participate in.
In addition, we discussed issues we found in relation to the way the provider managed the premises and dealt with outstanding maintenance issues.
Follow up
We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.