Priory Park Care Home

Updated 13 January 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 two inspectors 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

Priory Park 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.

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 unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

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 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 two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, care workers and the chef.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three 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. We carried out a visual inspection of communal areas in the home.

After the inspection

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

Updated 13 January 2022

About the service

Priory Park is a care home providing accommodation for up to 40 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 27 people living at the home.

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

The service was safe. Medicines were well managed, and staff told us they were confident giving people medicines. Staff were aware of how to identify and report safeguarding concerns. Staff followed infection control procedures, one person told us,” When we visit, we feel safe knowing procedures are in place”. Staff were able to tell us about the risks to people and knew how support people to minimise the risks.

The service was effective. 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 their care planning. Staff told us that they received training and felt supported in their role. One staff member said, “ I am supported from the minute I had the interview I felt welcome.”.

The service was caring. People told us that the staff treated them with kindness and respect. One person said, “The staff are so patient they take time and really understand my relative’s needs.” Staff were aware of how to protect people’s privacy and dignity and people told us that the staff did this well. People felt supported to make decisions about their daily lives.

The service was responsive. People told us they knew how to complain and there was a policy and procedure in place. One person told us, “The manager is very approachable and listens and actions everything.” Staff had received training in end of life care. Staff were aware of people’s communication needs and how best to support them. There was an activities coordinator who offered a number of activities to support people’s well-being.

The service was well led. People told us the service was well managed, one person told us, “The manager is very approachable and makes us feel very at ease when talking to her”. Staff told us staff meetings took place and were used as a forum to share information. There was a positive staff culture. We found the management team receptive to feedback and keen to improve the service. The registered manager worked with us in a positive manner and provided all the information we requested in a timely manner.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was inadequate, published on 10 December 2019. This is the first comprehensive inspection under the new provider.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection. The last inspection was a targeted inspection where we found some concerns.

During this inspection 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.

We carried out an unannounced targeted inspection of this service on 27 November 2020. Breaches of legal requirements were found in safe care and treatment and good governance. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

We undertook this comprehensive inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. During this inspection we found that improvements had been made and the service were no longer in breach of any regulations.

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.