10 February 2022
During an inspection looking at part of the service
Orchard Residential is a ‘care home’ providing accommodation, nursing and / or personal care for up to 26 older adults; some of whom lived with dementia. At the time of the inspection 18 people were living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Management of risk and safety monitoring had improved. People received safe, timely and effective care that was centred around their support needs. Care records contained up to date, consistent and relevant information that staff needed to know and risks were regularly reviewed, evaluated and followed up on when needed.
Improved medicine management processes had been identified. Medicines were safely stored and temperature checks were routinely taken, PRN (‘as and when required’ medicines) protocols had improved and controlled drugs were safely managed and administered in accordance with medication administration policy.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, procedures and processes had improved. Staff were engaged in the required COVID-19 testing regime, all visitors were screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and Government guidance and best practice in relation to PPE was followed.
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.
Staffing levels and the deployment of staff was closely monitored. People received support from a consistent staff team who were skilled, experienced and competent to provide the level of care they needed. Staff received regular supervision and were supported with the necessary learning and development opportunities.
Recruitment procedures had improved and new processes had been implemented. Pre-employment recruitment checks were carried out and people received care and support from staff who had been appropriately vetted.
Overall quality assurance and governance measures had improved. The quality and safety of care was routinely monitored, the provision of care was assessed and improvements were being identified. A new manager had been appointed following the last inspection. They were aware of their regulatory roles and responsibilities and understood the importance of delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred care. We received positive comments about the improved provision of care people received.
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
The last rating for this service was ‘inadequate’ (published 4 November 2021) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
This service has been in special measures since November 2021. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as ‘inadequate’ overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in special measures.
Why we inspected
We undertook this focused inspection to check whether the breaches of regulations and warning notice we previously served in relation to Regulation 12 and 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, had been met.
The focused inspection reviewed the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only. We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
We looked at IPC 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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
The overall rating for the service has improved to ‘requires improvement’. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Orchard Residential Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Follow up
We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress and continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return as per inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.