The Court Retirement Residence

Updated 10 March 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 CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 11 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 10 March 2021

About the service

The Court Retirement Residence is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 16 people aged 18 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 21 people in one adapted building.

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

Significant improvements had been made in all aspects of the management of the service since the last inspection. The management team were working to ensure the improvements were embedded. A comprehensive quality assurance programme had been introduced, and a review of job roles and responsibilities was improving monitoring and accountability. There was an open, transparent and positive culture at the service. Staff told us they felt valued and part of a dedicated team.

People felt safe living at The Court. Staff were recruited safely, and safeguarding processes were in place to help protect people from abuse. Risks associated with people's care had been assessed and guidance was in place for staff to follow. Care plans were detailed, person centred and reviewed regularly with people and their relatives where appropriate. There were systems in place to ensure information about any changes in people’s needs was shared promptly across the staff team.

People received their medicines safely, and in the way prescribed for them. The provider had good systems to manage safeguarding concerns, accidents, infection control and environmental safety.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of suitably trained, competent and skilled staff. This meant their healthcare and nutritional needs were met. External professionals were complimentary about how the service worked in partnership with them.

People enjoyed a wide range of activities which reduced anxiety and depression and supported their cognitive functioning. A relative said, “My [family member] is doing more here than ever before. Reading for the first time in eighteen months. They were joining in making Halloween masks when we came in.”

People lived in a homely environment which promoted their dignity and well being. A renovation programme was in progress with people contributing to the choice of décor and colour schemes.

Staff were caring and kind and had developed positive and meaningful relationships with people. People were respected, included in decisions, and their privacy and independence promoted. The care provided was sensitive to people's diverse needs. All information was available in an accessible format, which meant people could make a meaningful contribution to their community.

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 and update: The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 22 October 2018) 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.

We have made a recommendation about the use of orientation aids to promote the independence of people living with dementia.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.