Candlewood House Care Home

Updated 18 March 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, a specialist advisor nurse 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

Candlewood House Care Home 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.

At the time of the inspection the service had a manager who was in the process of being registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that, once registered, 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 publication of this report, the manager had successfully completed their registration.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 08 December 2021 and ended on 19 January 2022. We visited the office location on 15 December 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held on the service and used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the manager, nominated individual, registered nurses, team leader, training personnel and the chef. We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

After the inspection

We spoke with eight relatives/next of kin about their experience of the care provided to their loved ones. We also spoke with a further three care staff. We continued to seek clarification from the manager to validate evidence found. We looked at further information including training data, meeting minutes, policies and quality assurance records.

Updated 18 March 2022

About the service

Candlewood House Care Home is a residential home providing personal care, nursing care and treatment of disease, disorder or injury to adults. The service can support up to 86 people. At the time of the inspection 13 people were using the service.

Candlewood House Care Home accommodates people across three floors, out of which only the ground floor was occupied at the time of the inspection. The home had adapted facilities including lifts, specialist baths and appropriate grab rails and handles. The building had ample communal areas including a garden and outdoor visiting facilities.

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

People were supported by suitably skilled staff. However, some people experienced delays when receiving care. We have made a recommendation around staffing levels.

People told us they felt safe using the service. Medicines were managed safely. Risks associated with people’s health and care were identified and assessed as and when needed, and staff were provided with clear guidance. Staff followed appropriate infection control practices. Accident and incidents were recorded and any lessons learnt were used as opportunities to improve the quality of service.

Assessments were carried out prior to people joining the service to ensure their needs could be met. Staff had the training, knowledge and experience to support people's needs. People were supported to maintain good health and had access to a range of healthcare services when needed. People were encouraged to eat a healthy well balanced diet for their wellbeing.

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.

People were involved in making decisions about their own care. We observed staff treating people kindly and catered to their needs in a person-centred way. We saw positive interactions between people and staff. Staff encouraged people to be more independent by doing various tasks for themselves. Systems were in place to manage complaints efficiently.

There were effective systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. There was an open and inclusive culture within the home where people, relatives and staff felt comfortable to share their views. Staff worked in partnership with healthcare services and professionals to improve and maintain people's quality of life.

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 20 May 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection in line with our regulatory approach.

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 until we return to visit as per our regulatory approach. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.