Updated 16 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
This inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and a regulatory coordinator.
Service and service type
Rivermede Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Rivermede Court 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 reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. 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 looked at the notifications and any safeguarding alerts we had received for this service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 6 people who used the service, 2 family members, 1 healthcare professional and 10 staff members. This included carers, the registered manager and deputy manager. We spent time observing people and staff interactions with them in different areas of the service. We reviewed a range of records which included people's care records and medication records. We reviewed 4 people’s records and looked at 5 staff files in relation to the recruitment practice followed. Records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed, this included, health and safety records, quality audits and notes of meetings. We also received written feedback from 10 relatives.