Background to this inspection
Updated
26 February 2022
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 8 February 2022 and was unannounced. We informed the registered manager shortly before our arrival to make them aware of our visit.
Updated
26 February 2022
About the service:
Alexander Court Care Centre is a care home that registered to accommodate up to 82 people across five separate units, each of which have separate adapted facilities. Three of the wings specialise in providing care to people living with dementia. The home provided personal and nursing care to 76 people, aged 65 and over, at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service:
The provider had made improvements since our last two inspections. The home provided more person-centred care to people and people’s consent to care was now being obtained. People were provided their medicines as prescribed. There were safer systems in place for the storage, administration and management of medicines. There were more effective governance systems to ensure the home was being managed to a good standard.
People spoke positively about the care and support they received. They felt safe using the service. Staff had a good understanding of what constituted abuse and how to report any concerns to keep people safe.
Risks associated with people’s care and support had been assessed and there was guidance in place to keep them safe. Accidents and incidents in the home were reviewed to learn from any lessons. However, we have made a recommendation around supporting people with behaviour that may challenge because records did not always indicate how staff supported them following incidents, to minimise re-occurrence.
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 with their nutritional needs and had choices with meals. People had access to health care professionals such as GPs, when required.
People received care from staff who were kind and compassionate. Staff treated people with dignity and respected their privacy. People's independence was promoted.
Staff understood people's needs, preferences, and what was important to them. Staff had developed positive relationships with the people they supported.
People were supported to engage in meaningful activities and pursue their interests, where they were able.
Care plans were person-centred and detailed people's support needs.
A complaints procedure was in place. People and relatives were supported with complaints they wished to make and the registered manager investigated them.
Staff were recruited safely and were supported with the necessary training and development to increase their skills. Staff felt supported by the management team and told us there was a positive culture.
There was a system in place to monitor the home and ensure consistent and good quality care was provided to people. The registered manager and provider demonstrated they were able to run the home effectively and were committed to making continual improvements to the home where required.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection:
At the last comprehensive inspection on 28 February 2018 and 6 March 2018 the service was rated Requires Improvement (published 9 May 2018).
We carried out a focused inspection on 1 November 2018 (report published 18 December 2018) to follow up on specific breaches of regulations; safe care and treatment and good governance. We found improvements in the service but did not change our overall rating.
Previous breaches:
At the last comprehensive inspection, the service was in breach of two other regulations in relation to obtaining consent to care and providing person-centred care to people. We asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when, to improve. At this inspection, we found improvements had been made and the provider is no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected:
This inspection was carried out to follow up action we told the provider to take at the last comprehensive inspection.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.