Greensleeves Care Home

Updated 11 June 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 included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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

Greensleeves 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. Greensleeves 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.

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. Inspection activity started on 4 March 2022 and ended on 9 March 2022. We visited the location’s service on 4 March 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from Healthwatch, Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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 about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with one healthcare professional who regularly visits the service. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager who is also the nominated individual, members of the management team, the chef, activity worker and care staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider

We reviewed a range of records. This included five 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 were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, care records, policies and quality assurance records. We spoke with two healthcare professionals who regularly visit the service, four staff members and eight relatives about their experience of the support provided.

Updated 11 June 2022

About the service

Greensleeves Care Home is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 34 older people. People living in the service had a range of needs associated with older age such as physical frailty and dementia. There were 32 people living at the service on the day of our inspection. Accommodation was only available to women, the provider told us they continued to consider whether they could meet the needs of any men who wanted live to at the service.

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

People received an outstanding, well-led service which was exceptionally responsive to their needs. We were told, “This is by far, the Buckingham Palace of care homes.” And, “The place is heaven on earth. It has an amazing reputation and is well run.”

People’s well-being was placed at the heart of the service. Innovative and inventive practices were in place to holistically meet people’s needs by well trained staff who were contented in their roles. The service had a sensory room called Namaste, people who were living with dementia used the space experienced calming and person-centred care which enhanced their well-being. Relatives told us, “[Person] is well and her health and well-being have improved since she’s been there.” And “[Person] has improved since they have been there, and she can have a better conversation now.”

The service was led by a passionate and committed registered manager and management team who were proud to work at the service. The management team continually strived to drive service improvement for the benefit of people and staff, this included researching initiatives from organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society. Everyone we spoke with praised the management team. One person told us, “The management are very good, they are understanding, and are there for any concerns.”

People and their relatives were empowered and encouraged to give feedback on the service. The management team listened and strived to continually improve people’s experiences. One relative told us, “There is always a person of management around. I am happy with the manager and they always ask if I am happy with things and my opinion.” People told us they felt safe as staff and management knew them well and were approachable.

People were encouraged to personalise their space and surround themselves with items important to them, staff respected people’s space and belongings. One person told us, “All the staff are very good here without exception. I made it my home, it's a good place to be." Research was carried out to enhance the environment, ensuring it was homely and accessible for those living with dementia.

People were actively involved with decisions relating to their care and environment. One person told us, “My family and I have meetings with [deputy manager], they talk to me about my care and whether I am happy. I can make changes as I wish.” We saw people we able to make suggestions, and the management team had worked hard to accommodate them.

People were supported by kind and caring staff; we saw people and staff interacting positively during the inspection. One relative told us, “The best thing is the care, everyone is so sweet to the residents and so caring in every way.” There was a full schedule of activities developed at people’s request with their involvement. One person told us, “The thing I like is the people, I have made friends and we do all kinds of wonderful things.”

People enjoyed home cooked food which was tailored to their tastes. Where people required an alternative diet due to health or cultural needs, these were well catered for. People experienced dignified and relaxed mealtimes.

Only females lived at the service; this had been kept under continuous review. The registered manager frequently consulted people and their relatives on this decision; their wishes and opinions were listened to and respected. One relative told us, “It is amazing it is all ladies, for dementia ladies.” People were supported by a gender mix of staff, one person told us, “Originally I said I don’t want men to help me, now I don’t mind as they are well trained and respectful. I changed my mind as I got to know them.”

People's needs were robustly assessed before they moved into the service. Person-centred care plans were developed with people and their families, this included people’s life stories and wishes. Staff ensured people were seen by healthcare professionals where needed. Visiting healthcare professionals spoke highly of the staff and the care they delivered to people.

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.

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 1 October 2020 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 29 January 2019.

Why we inspected

This is the first inspection for this newly registered 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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Follow up

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