Tusker House

Updated 10 July 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.

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Tusker 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 was not required to have a registered manager therefore the provider is 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 inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 and one relative. We spent time talking with and observing people’s interactions with staff. We spoke with eight members of staff including the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records. We looked at one staff file in relation to their induction program. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and quality assurance records.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data. We spoke with five staff and received feedback via phone and email from seven relatives.

Updated 10 July 2021

About the service

Tusker House is a residential care home providing personal care to 23 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. The service can support up to 72 people.

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

Appropriate measures were in place to keep people, visitors and staff safe from the risk of infection from COVID-19. The home was clean and tidy. Staff used personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately. The provider followed government guidance to ensure testing took place regularly. Visitors were welcomed to the home and supported to visit their loved ones.

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 needs and choices were assessed, planned and reviewed. Staff received regular training and supervision which enabled them to provide the care and support people needed. People were supported to eat and drink a variety of homecooked meals and snacks throughout the day. People were supported to access healthcare as needed.

There was a quality assurance system and regular audits helped the provider to identify areas that needed to be developed. There was a positive culture at the home. Staff knew people well and understood the importance of person-centred care. Care plans contained the information staff needed to support people, and daily notes reflected the care people received and what they had done each day.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 9 September 2019). At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the rating has improved to good.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by our data insight that assesses potential risks at services, concerns in relation to aspects of care provision and previous ratings. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of effective and well-led only. This enabled us to review the previous ratings.

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.