Background to this inspection
Updated
31 December 2021
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 was undertaken by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The Expert by Experience made phone calls to three family members and two visiting professionals after the inspection visit.
Service and service type
Spring 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 sought feedback from the local safeguarding and commissioning teams. 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 this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who lived at the home about their experience of care and we observed care provided. Three family members and two professional advocates were consulted for their views. We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, team leader and six carers. We reviewed documentation including people’s care plans and daily records.
Updated
31 December 2021
About the service
Spring House is a residential care home providing personal care to people aged 65 and over, some of whom were living with dementia. The service can support up to 21 people in one building. At the time of the inspection, 19 people were living at the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe. Risks were well managed and there were systems to identify and reduce risks for people. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. There were sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) which staff used appropriately. Staff had undertaken training in relation to infection control.
The environment was clean. The home had a cleaning regime in place and refurbishment works were ongoing.
People received care which was tailored to their individual needs and the home valued person-centred care. Family members told us the staff were, “Very caring and kind.”
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 appeared very happy and relatives informed us they felt people were, “Very safe”. Relatives felt included in people’s lives.
Staff were respectful towards people and supported them in a dignified way. The staff knew how to communicate effectively with people. People told us the staff were, “Friendly and knowledgeable.” People and their relatives were involved in care planning and staff had considered innovative ways to do this.
The provider had an effective quality assurance process. Staff felt supported by management and relatives told us they felt confident any complaints would be dealt with appropriately and efficiently. The registered manager was open and approachable.
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 September 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
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.