Cambridge Court Care Home

Updated 29 April 2021

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.

This was a targeted inspection to check on specific concerns relating to management of risks relating to pressure care, nutrition and hydration and oral care.

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 undertaken by two inspectors who visited the service on 17 March 2021.

Service and service type

Cambridge Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We gave 24 hours notice of the inspection so that we could have some preliminary discussion around the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on inspection.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we spent time looking around the home, observed the support people received and how staff interacted with people who used the service. We spoke with one professional, who regularly visited the service, who was on site at the time of inspection.

We reviewed a range of records relating to the concerns identified during the inspection. These records included care plans, records of support relating to nutrition and hydration and oral care as well as policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at policies and quality assurance records.

Updated 29 April 2021

This inspection took place on 9 and 10 January 2018 and was unannounced.

Cambridge Court Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Cambridge Court Care Home is located in Waterloo in Liverpool. It has 54 bedrooms some of which have en-suite facilities. The home has been refurbished to a high standard but still requires additional refurbishments in some parts of the home. The home provides 24 hour long term care, respite residential care and care for residents with nursing and dementia care requirements. Accommodation is located over three floors with access to all areas of the home by a passenger lift. During the inspection there were 39 people living in the home.

When we carried out a previous inspection in December 2016 we found the service was rated ‘requires improvement’ in safe, effective and well-led with an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’. This inspection looked to see whether improvements had been made to ensure the provider was meeting the fundamental standards of care.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

During the inspection we observed the care home to be generally clean and free from odours. Whilst there were a few areas that required refurbishment the manager informed us that this was part of their business plan and changes were due to be made. People living in the home were observed to be well cared for, clean and happy.

During the last inspection the feedback we received about staffing levels was mixed, however during this inspection we found that appropriate staffing levels were in place and staff felt happy with the number of staff on duty. The registered manager had appointed new permanent care staff in order to ensure that adequate numbers of staff were provided on each shift.

The last inspection that was carried out in December 2016 found that arrangements were in place for checking the safety of the environment and equipment, however there was no evidence that bed rails or window restrictors were routinely checked. During this inspection we found that improvements had been made and there was evidence of regular safety checks being carried out.

During the previous inspection it was observed that best practice was not always implemented in relation to moving and handling. However during this inspection it was identified that most staff had received appropriate training both on-line and practical and during observations it was evidenced that safe procedures were being followed.

We observed a member of staff administering medications and checked records, stock, storage arrangements and audits and found that medicines were managed and stored safely.

Staff were aware of different types of abuse and how to report safeguarding incidents. Those that were reported had been done so appropriately. They were also aware of the whistleblowing policy. Staff were able to explain how to keep residents safe from abuse. People’s individual risks were appropriately assessed and reviewed in order to keep people safe.

Six staff recruitment files were checked and found to reflect safe recruitment processes. Each file contained an application form with detailed employment history, photographic identification, references and evidence of DBS checks.

The home had a robust approach to the recording and monitoring of incidents and accidents. The records that we saw detailed and showed evidence of review and analysis by the registered manager.

People told us they felt safe at the home.

Staff had received appropriate training to provide them with the skills required to carry out their role.

Principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 legislation were being followed and DoLS applications were completed correctly and in line with current legislation. Staff showed a basic knowledge and understanding of both MCA and DoLS.

People we spoke to during the inspection spoke positively about the food at Cambridge Court and were supported to maintain a healthy diet.

People had good access to health care where required.

Staff supervisions and appraisals had been completed regularly and were clearly documented. Staff told us they felt well supported by the management team and were able to request additional support through supervisions if required.

Staff that were spoken to showed good knowledge around maintaining the dignity and respect of people living within the home. During the inspection staff were observed to be kind, compassionate and respectful towards people and were seen to interact in a calm, respectful manner. People living in the home and their relatives spoke positively of staff and their care and treatment towards them.

Cambridge Court employs an activities coordinator several days a week. People living in the home spoke positively about the activities that were provided. We saw evidence of a wide range of both group and individual activities, themed activities and trips out. The activities folder provided further evidence of the positive reactions from people living in the home.

During the inspection we looked at six care files and found that people received personalised care that met their needs. Care records were person centred and produced with the involvement of the person and relatives and were reviewed regularly. In most files there was evidence of consent for care being obtained appropriately where people lacked the capacity. However it was also identified that where a person was known to have capacity, their consent was not obtained. This was discussed with the manager during the inspection who was responsive to the feedback provided and offered assurance that this would be addressed.

The home has a robust approach to complaints that is easily accessible to residents and family and provided evidence that they were reviewed and action taken where required.

During the last inspection it was identified that whilst systems and processes were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service actions had not been taken to address all the concerns raised. During this inspection it was evidenced that this was now being carried out and actions were being completed where issues were identified.

The registered manager told us that their vision and values were to provide ‘better care, good practice’. Staff that were spoken to shared this vision and value and were able to clearly explain that this was achieved by delivering personalised care.

Staff told us that positive changes had taken place within the home since the last inspection.

Throughout the inspection the management team and staff were open and responsive. They were able to provide information on request and showed to improve on the quality of their service.