We carried out a review of the data available to us about Carentan House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Carentan House, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice:
There were systems and processes in place, in line with guidance, to protect residents from COVID-19. Residents and staff had been risk assessed and shielding arrangements put in place as necessary.
The home had sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE). There were PPE stations available throughout the premises. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and how to don and doff PPE.
There was a dedicated COVID-19 testing room to support the privacy of residents. With their consent, residents and staff participated in regular coronavirus testing and had received their first vaccination.
Policies and audits relating to infection prevention and control (IPC), including coronavirus, were up to date. It was noted at the latest IPC audit there had been a range of actions identified. At the time of the assurance visit some of these had been completed. The manager had scheduled any further work to ensure outstanding actions were addressed.
The layout of the service and communal areas supported social distancing. The premises looked clean and hygienic throughout. There were enhanced cleaning schedules in place and adequate ventilation.
There was an ethos of ensuring the social and emotional wellbeing of residents was supported. Residents were supported to participate in telephone and virtual calls with their relatives. There was a calm, friendly and cheerful atmosphere. Residents were occupied watching television, doing activities and talking with staff.
Carentan House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to a maximum of 24 adults, some of whom are living with dementia. The service includes facilities to provide care on a short stay, respite or rehabilitation basis in the Homewards Unit. People staying on the Homewards Unit have additional care needs relating to improving mobility and independence.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and well supported. The provider followed robust recruitment checks, and sufficient staff were employed to ensure people’s needs were met. People’s medicines were managed safely.
Staff followed good infection protection and control standards and people said the service was clean and smelt fresh.
Staff had received training and development around management of dementia and demonstrated a good understanding of dementia care. They worked with people’s individual strengths to ensure their independence, wishes and choices were promoted.
Communication was effective. 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.
People enjoyed good food. Their health needs were identified, and staff worked with other professionals, to ensure these needs were met.
Staff knew about people’s individual care needs and care plans were person-centred and detailed.
People participated in a range of activities within the service and in the community, they also enjoyed the company of others in the service.
People were able to see their families as they wanted. There were no restrictions on when people could visit the service. People were involved in all aspects of their care and were always asked for their consent before staff gave support.
The service was well-led; systems were in place to assess and improve the quality of the service and complaints were responded to thoroughly. There was an open culture and learning was encouraged to drive improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 25 February 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.
At the last inspection in October 2014, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People told us they felt safe and were well cared for. The registered provider followed robust recruitment checks, to employ suitable people. There were sufficient staff employed to assist people in a timely way. People’s medicines were managed safely.
Staff had completed relevant training. We found that they received regular supervision, to fulfil their roles effectively.
People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
People said they enjoyed good food. People's health needs were identified and staff worked with other professionals, to ensure these needs were met.
People said staff were kind and caring and that they treated people with dignity and respect. People’s independence was promoted. Visiting health and social care professionals spoke positively about the quality of care provided and said that staff acted upon their advice.
Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual care needs and care plans were person centred and detailed. There was a range of activities offered including themed days and meals to celebrate special events and festive holidays.
People told us that the service was well managed and organised. The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care provided to people. People and staff were asked for their views and their suggestions were used to continuously improve the service.
Events requiring notification had been reported to CQC. The service met all relevant fundamental standards we inspect against.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
We inspected this service on 23 October 2014. The service met all of the regulations we inspected against at our last inspection on 10 December 2013.
Carentan House is operated by North Yorkshire County Council and provides accommodation for up to 24 older people. This includes seven places on the Homewards Intermediate Care Unit. This is a unit for people who have extra care needs relating to improving mobility and independence. People who use the Homewards unit can stay for up to six weeks and are assisted by staff and relevant health care professionals to improve their health and wellbeing so that they may return home. A separate day unit is also provided at this service.
Skilled staff provide care throughout the home; those working on the Homewards Intermediate Care Unit understood how to support people who used the service to increase their independence. Staff fully understood their roles and responsibilities, as well as the values and philosophy of the home.
People were supported by patient kind staff who knew people’s needs well. Health care professionals visiting the home were all positive about the services provided at the home and told us that the staff communicated well with them to help to maintain people’s health and wellbeing. We saw that people were treated with dignity, privacy and respect.
The registered manager assessed and monitored the quality of care provided to people. They spoke with people to find out their views and issues raised with them were dealt with appropriately.
People told us they liked the food and they had plenty of choice. Comments included: "I like the food. It is very good." And "The food is always hot, which I like.' People were provided with a choice of suitable and nutritious food and drink.
Medicines were prescribed and given to people appropriately; we saw people were given the right medicine, in the right way and at the right time on the day of our inspection.
We observed there were sufficient staff to care for people on the day of our inspection. We saw the care staff being kind and respectful to people and responding to their needs in a calm, timely manner.
People who used the service and their visitors told us if they had any concerns or complaints they would discuss them with the Manager of the home or bring things up with staff at the time.
People told us that they were well cared for. They said the staff were 'very kind and helpful.' One person said, 'I've been on some great trips out, which I enjoyed.'
People told us that they felt safe in Carentan House and if they needed to, they would speak to the manager or their key worker if they were troubled.
The staff we spoke with said that they had attended training courses to update their knowledge and skills. This helped them to provide safe and appropriate care for people who live in Carentan House.
We saw that the home had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. These included risk assessment of the environment in the home to ensure people were safe. On the day of our inspection the fabric of the home was being updated. We observed the provider had ensured people were safe from harm.
They also told us the food was good and they were always offered a choice from the menu. They said that the staff were very kind and helpful and confirmed that they were always available if needed.
People remarked that there was a good continuity of staff and some of the staff had been at the home a long time.