Archived: Terrys Cross House

Updated 25 January 2020

Background to this inspection

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type

Terrys Cross House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the 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. This is information providers are required to send us 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-

We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three relatives of people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager, care worker and the cook.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication policies and records. We looked at 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 continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We asked for clarification about the recruitment process and documentation.

Updated 25 January 2020

About the service

Terrys Cross House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to nine people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 12 people. Terrys Cross House is a registered charity that provides retirement accommodation for those associated with the Church of England. Terrys Cross House is a large Victorian building set in its own grounds. The home has two floors, with kitchen, small chapel room, shared dining area and lounge on the ground floor with access to a large garden. Bedrooms are on the upper floor. The upper floor is served by stairs and a lift. Rooms are en-suite. The manager has an on-site office and there is a meeting room for staff use.

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

There were systems and processes in place to keep people safe at the home. Staff were caring and alert to notice if anything was wrong. People were independent and managed their own medication, however if they needed any help staff were trained to assist them. The home was clean, and people told us they were happy at Terry Cross House. A person told us, “I’m very content. I have a lovely room and all my meals provided, there are lovely staff and the residents are nice. It’s ideal for me.” Staff had time to sit and talk with people during the day.

People had their needs assessed before living at the home, and then regularly during their stay. Care plans were reviewed and updated frequently and staff knew people well. Staff were well trained and training was ongoing to keep staff up to date. People told us they enjoyed the food at the home. The cook planned the menus and people enjoyed the routine of morning and afternoon coffee and tea times.

People were supported by polite and caring staff. We saw positive interactions between staff, relatives and people. People and their relatives told us the care they received was good. A relative told us, “[Person] told me how happy he is here. He’s an intelligent man. If he’s happy, that endorses that it’s a smooth running home that meets his needs. Staff told us keeping people independent was very important and worked to keep people motivated.

People had personal care provided to them in a dignified way by considerate staff. Staff knew people well and enjoyed learning about their lives. Visitors were frequent at the home and were always welcomed. People were free to come and go as they wished and many people chose to go out to neighbouring towns unaccompanied. Where people asked the registered manager for trips out they were provided. People were able to take their pets with them to the home. At the time of the inspection there was a cat in residence.

The service had a positive, open culture which showed in the care staff gave to people. People and staff were happy to be at the home. Staff and people told us the registered manager had made positive changes to the running of the service. Audits and risk assessments were now carried out regularly as well as a more formal recording of staff training and supervision. A member of staff said, “I've been welcomed and I've been made aware if I need anything the office door is always open. It's a really nice place to work.” and a relative said, “Things weren't as they should have been before, but I can see she's totally different. She’s nice and friendly with everyone, but no favourites, not gushy, very practical, as it should be.”

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

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 11 January 2019). At this inspection we found improvements had been made.