Whittington Care Home

Updated 29 June 2023

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

The inspection was completed by 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

Whittington Care Home 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. Whittington Care Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was 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 sought feedback from the local authority and 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 relatives and 4 people who used the service. We spoke with 8 staff members, including the registered manager, regional manager, domestic, nurse and care workers. We reviewed a range of records, including 4 people's care records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed including policies and procedures.

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

Updated 29 June 2023

About the service

Whittington Care Home is a nursing home providing regulated activities personal and nursing care to up to 48 people. The service provides support to older people, including those with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service. The home provides care over 2 of the 3 floors with a range of communal spaces for dining, activities and relaxation.

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

People were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and how to raise a concern. Risks to people’s safety were managed and regularly assessed.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Safe recruitment processes were in place and appropriate pre-employment checks were completed prior to staff starting employment.

People’s care needs were assessed and risk assessments were in place for staff to support people safely. 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.

People told us staff were kind and caring and staff maintained positive relationships with people. Care plans were personalised and included details of people’s wishes and preferences. These were reviewed and updated regularly. Complaints were investigated promptly and people understood how to raise a concern.

Relatives and staff confirmed the registered manager was approachable and supportive. Staff received regular training and supervision to carry out their roles. The service had access to a wide range of professionals to ensure people’s outcomes were met.

There were quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Regular audits were carried out to ensure risks were identified and actions taken to drive improvements.

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 (27 September 2022) and there were breaches in 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.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.