Wellington Grange

Updated 26 July 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 team consisted of three 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

Wellington Grange 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. Wellington Grange 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 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 9 people and 2 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 10 staff members including the registered manager, clinical manager, clinical lead, 2 nurses and 5 care staff. We spent time observing how staff interacted with people. We looked at 5 care plans in detail and sampled others. We looked at 3 staff records and records relating to the management and governance of the service.

Updated 26 July 2023

About the service

Wellington Grange is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 76 people. The service provides support to older people and younger adults. At the time of our inspection there were 60 people using the service. Accommodation is arranged over three floors with those who require nursing care on the second floor. There are three passenger lifts linking each floor and the home has an attractive accessible garden.

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

Shortfalls in the provider’s systems for monitoring quality had not identified inconsistent practice and some inaccurate records. This was an area of practice that needed to improve. Following the inspection, the provider confirmed the actions they taken to address these issues.

People were receiving a personalised service by staff who knew them well. People described having a good quality of life and feeling they were in control of their care. One person said, “It’s lovely here. It’s as good as it could be.”

Risks to people were assessed and managed and people received their medicines safely. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people. 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.

The provider had effective systems for monitoring incidents and accidents and for making improvements. One staff member told us, “Our systems are very good in analysing issues and helping us focus on areas that need more attention. We have seen real improvements for people including for example, a reduction in falls.”

People were supported to remain connected with the local community and described involvement with a number of local groups and charities. They told us they were leading full and busy lives and described having access to activities that were relevant and of interest to them. One person said, “I found it lonely at home, I have everything I need here.”

Staff were knowledgeable about people’s needs and responsive to changes. People were supported to plan for end of life care and described kind and caring staff. People and their relatives knew how to complain and described an open culture where they felt able to raise any concerns.

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 1 March 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

We undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, responsive and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has remained 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.