Yew Trees

Updated 29 December 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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Yew Trees 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. Yew Trees 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 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 sought feedback from the stakeholders including the local authority, professionals who work with the service and Health watch. Health watch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with CQC. All this information was used to plan the inspection.

During the inspection

We looked around the service to ensure it was clean, tidy and a safe place for people to live. We observed how staff cared for people throughout the day. We spoke with 2 people and 4 family members to understand their experiences of the service. We spoke with 14 members of staff including the registered manager, carers and auxiliary staff. We reviewed 4 peoples care records and additional records in relation to the management of medicines. We reviewed multiple records regarding the management and quality assurance of the service. We reviewed 4 recruitment records, and records in relation to staff training and support.

Updated 29 December 2022

About the service

Yew Trees is a care home registered to provide personal care for up to 43 people in one adapted building. The service mainly supports people living with dementia who have complex needs. There were 41 people living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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

People felt safe and were supported by staff who knew them. Risks were assessed and mitigated as much as possible and lessons were learnt when things went wrong. Medicines were safely managed, and the home was clean and tidy.

People's needs were assessed, and care plans detailed specific needs around eating and drinking. Food look appetising and there were a range of drinks and snacks offered throughout the day. Staff felt well supported and completed a variety of training to help them in their role. The home made referrals to external services and sought advice when needed, and this information was incorporated into people’s plan of care. The home had adaptions to meet people’s needs, but some areas of the home would benefit from a programme of redecoration.

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.

Staff were kind and caring and knew people well. People looked comfortable with the staff and families spoke positively about staff.

People received personalised care and care plans were consistently reviewed to ensure they met people’s needs. People were supported to engage in activities as much as possible. Complaints were responded to and investigated, and people, families and staff told us they felt confident in raising concerns should they need to.

There were robust systems to ensure good oversight of the safety and quality of the home including a variety of checks and audits. Staff were clear on roles and responsibilities and were committed to ensuring people received good quality care. There were various ways to feedback views including meetings and surveys and people felt their views were listened to.

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

This service was registered with us on 27 August 2021 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good (published on 2 April 2020).

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.