Archived: Old Hospital Close (12)

Updated 6 August 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

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

Old Hospital Close (12) 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. Old Hospital Close (12) is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last 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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

People who used the service were unable to speak with us on the day of inspection. Following the inspection, we spoke with one relative about their experience of the care provided.

We spoke with six members of staff including the acting manager, operations manager, head of care and support, the team leader and two care workers.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI)/ spent time observing people. SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and three medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection we looked at quality assurance and other records in relation to the management of the service.

Updated 6 August 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

Old Hospital Close (12) is a residential care home providing personal care. Five people lived there at the time of our inspection.

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

Right culture

Staff did not feel that management were always visible or approachable in the service. Staff put people’s needs and wishes at the heart of everything they did. People personalised their rooms and were included in decisions relating to the interior decoration and design of their home

Right support

Governance processes were not always effective in providing good quality care and support. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it. People, including those unable to make decisions for themselves, had as much freedom, choice and control over their lives as possible because staff managed risks to minimise restrictions. The service worked well in partnership with advocacy organisations and other health and social care organisations, which helped to give people using the service a voice and improve their wellbeing.

Right Care

Staff were patient and used appropriate styles of interaction with people. Staff were calm, focussed and attentive to people’s emotions and support needs such as sensory sensitivities. People had the opportunity to try new experiences, develop new skills and gain independence. People had individual communication plans/ passports that detailed effective and preferred methods of communication, including the approach to use for different situations.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 14 September 2018)

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.

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.

Enforcement and Recommendations

For enforcement decisions taken during the period that the ‘COVID-19 – Enforcement principles and decision-making framework’ applies, add the following paragraph: We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified a breach in relation to good governance at this inspection.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.