Orchid Care Home

Updated 30 December 2020

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection aimed to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the specific concerns we had about staffing levels and management of medicines. We will assess all of the key questions at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.

Inspection team

This 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.

Service and service type

Orchid Care Home 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.

There was no registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The service was run by a manager who had applied to register with the Care Quality Commission.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. However, the specific date of the inspection was not given to the provider.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We asked the manager to provide us with electronic copies of various records such as four staff recruitment folders, a dependency tool, policies and staff meeting minutes. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We reviewed a range of records. These included a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including health and safety records, and records related to management of medicines. We spoke with four members of staff, 11 people who used the service and eight relatives about their experience of the care provided.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at four people’s care plans and at the provider’s quality assurance systems.

Updated 30 December 2020

About the service

Orchid Care Home provides care to people who may require nursing care and for people living with dementia. Orchid Care Home accommodates up to 84 people in three separate units, each of which comprises separate purpose-adapted facilities. There were 76 people using the service at the time of the inspection. One of the units specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

Risks associated with people's individual care needs, the premises and the equipment in use were assessed and managed. The provider employed enough staff to safely meet people's care needs. Systems and procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

People's individual care needs were assessed before they moved into the home. Staff received induction followed by ongoing training and management support to enable them to work safely and effectively. External professionals were involved in providing care to individuals when necessary. Staff encouraged people who were under-weight to eat fortified foods. A range of menu choices was available.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff provided them with care and assistance in the least restrictive way possible and acted in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect and maintained their privacy. They were kind and caring and knew people well.

People's care plans were tailored to people's individual needs and promoted a person-centred approach. There was a complaints process in place which was managed effectively. The provider had procedures in place to identify and address people's wishes and choices regarding end-of-life care.

At this inspection we rated the service as requires improvement in the well led domain. This is because we need to ensure that the improvements made are well embedded into the service and that they are sustainable. People and their relatives spoke positively about the overall management of the service. Staff felt valued and supported by the management team. The management team understood their responsibility to inform people and relevant others if something went wrong with the care provided. They took steps to keep themselves up to date with current legislation and best practice guidelines, and sought to engage with people, their relatives and staff. The provider had quality assurance systems and processes in place to monitor and improve the quality of people's care.

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 (published 4 June 2019). 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 was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.