Wolborough Court

Updated 9 February 2022

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 Care Act 2014.

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 one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Wolborough 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 did not have 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. The new manager was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the provider, manager, area manager, senior care workers, care workers and the chef. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

After our visit we sought feedback from relatives, and staff to obtain their views of the service provided to people. We received information from two additional staff and two relatives. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We provided initial feedback to the service on 4 January 2022.

Updated 9 February 2022

About the service

Wolborough Court is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to 23 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 25 people in one adapted building.

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

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.

We received mixed reviews about staffing levels to meet people’s care and support needs. Despite the national staffing shortages, the management team had worked hard to ensure that staffing levels were adequate to meet people’s needs. The provider and manager confirmed they had experienced difficulties with staffing, largely due to staff leaving, recruitment difficulties and last-minute staff sickness. The provider was actively recruiting for staff on an ongoing basis via various advertising sources. Recruitment checks had been undertaken on staff to make sure they were suitable to support people.

Since our inspection, the home had successfully recruited staff to support the home and further ensure people’s care and support needs were met in a timely way.

The service provided safe care to people. One person told us, “Oh yes, I feel safe here.” A relative commented, “I am extremely happy with the care provided by Wolborough Court in respect of my mother.” Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people’s freedom. People’s rights were protected because the service followed the appropriate legal processes. Medicines were safely managed on people’s behalf.

Care files were personalised to reflect people’s personal preferences. Their views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the care and treatment which was right for them.

Staff relationships with people were caring and supportive. Staff provided care that was kind and compassionate. Comments included, "The staff are caring, friendly and respectful” and “I love it here, I’ve got my own room upstairs and I like the views.”

People received effective care and support from staff who were well trained and competent.

The premises were clean and tidy. Staff followed current hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections. Visitors to the service were given information to help them reduce the risk of catching and spreading infection. Health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out at regular intervals.

Staff spoke positively about communication and how the management team worked well with them and encouraged their professional development.

People’s equality, diversity and human rights were respected. The service’s vision and values centred around the people they supported. The organisation’s statement of purpose documented a philosophy of maximising people’s life choices, encouraging independence and people having a sense of worth and value. Our inspection found that the organisation’s philosophy was embedded in staff practice at Wolborough Court.

A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received. The service made continuous improvements in response to their findings.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 18 September 2019 and this is their first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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

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.