Archived: Elizabeth Homes

Updated 26 February 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of the Care Quality Commission’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 9 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 26 February 2021

Elizabeth Homes is a residential care home for up to 30 older people including those with dementia. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The home is set out over two floors with communal areas and access to a large secure garden area.

The inspection took place on 19 and 24 April 2018 and was unannounced.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Staff had received appropriate training to ensure people were protected from avoidable harm and abuse. Systems and processes were maintained to record, evaluate and action any outcomes where safeguarding concerns had been raised.

Assessments of risks associated with people’s care and support and for their environment had been completed. Support plans provided information for staff and other health professionals to ensure people received safe care and support without undue restrictions in place.

The provider maintained safe staffing levels to meet people’s needs. Staff recruitment included pre-employment checks that helped to ensure only suitable employees were recruited to work in the home.

Systems and processes ensured safe management of medicines and infection control.

People received appropriate care and support to meet their individual needs, because staff were supported to have the skills, knowledge and supervision they needed to carry out their roles.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The provider was committed to providing people with a positive caring partnership with staff who were clear about the importance of paying attention to people’s wellbeing, privacy, dignity and independence.

The provider equipped staff with the skills and knowledge to appreciate and respond to the principles of equality and diversity. The provider ensured everybody received care and support that reflected their wishes and preferences and this information was recorded.

People continued to be involved in shaping their care and support. Records were evaluated for their effectiveness and amended to ensure they were up-to-date and reflective of the person’s current needs. Support plans continued to be person-centred.

Staff supported people to live as they choose and to enjoy a variety of meaningful activities.

Systems and processes were in place to support people should they need to raise a complaint.

People, their relatives, staff and other health professionals were consulted and their views and feedback used to help shape the service and maintain high standards of care and support.

The quality assurance system remained effective. Oversight by the registered manager ensured outcomes were evaluated for their effectiveness with timely action implemented where improvements were required.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.