Walstead Place Care Home

Updated 13 October 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 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

The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Walstead Place Care Home 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. Walstead Place Care Home 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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. 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 information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

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 spoke with people and staff and gathered information relating to the management of the service. We reviewed a range of records. This included five care plans. We spoke with seven people living at the service. We also spoke with six members of staff, including the registered manager, a regional manager, the chef and care staff.

After the inspection

We contacted six relatives by telephone.

Updated 13 October 2022

About the service

Walstead Place Care Home is a residential care home providing nursing care and support for up to 45 people. People were living with a range of needs associated with the frailties of old age. 33 people were living at the service on the day of our inspection.

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

We found some areas of outstanding practice in the care provided by Walstead Place Care Home. The registered manager and dedicated and enthusiastic staff demonstrated an excellent commitment to enabling people to live well and grow old with dignity. People received high-quality care that met their needs.

The registered manager had developed innovative and effective systems that promoted people’s health and improved their wellbeing, happiness and independence. People and staff universally had their equality, diversity and culture celebrated, and their rights promoted and respected. The service was inclusive, educational and empowering. Staff worked collaboratively with outside agencies such as the local schools, charities, the local authority and healthcare professionals.

People using the service were consistent in their view that the service delivered person centred care that met people’s needs. Typical comments included, “I honestly can’t fault the home. [My relative] gets treated so well, she’s very happy and there are so many great activities going on. She’s certainly not bored.” There was a culture of embracing learning and development within the service. People and their relatives felt confident in the skills of the staff and they received effective care. Staff treated people with respect, dignity and compassion. People and their relatives felt respected, valued and listened to.

People’s physical, mental health and emotional needs were assessed before they began using the service. Care plans were written with people and focused on their individual specific needs and preferences. The management team completed checks and audits on the quality and safety of the service to make sure they had good oversight.

People were supported by staff who had been safely recruited, and they were protected from the risks of discrimination, abuse and avoidable harm. Risks to people’s health, safety and welfare were monitored and reviewed. Measures were in place to reduce risks. People told us staff always wore the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff had access to PPE stock and completed training about how to use it appropriately.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. 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 told us they knew how to complain, but had no complaints about the service they received. Complaints and compliments were shared with staff to address areas for improvement and to celebrate successes. People received medicines safely. The service was clean, hygienic and a pleasant environment to spend time in.

Staff had received relevant training to meet people’s needs. People’s wishes at the end of their life were respected. People were able to express their views and had their dignity and privacy promoted. People were protected from harm and abuse, as staff new how to safeguard people and what procedures they should follow.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 20 January 2018). The overall rating for the service has stayed the same based on the findings of this inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.