Dale Park

Updated 31 March 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

This inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and 1 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 (dementia).

Service and service type

Dale Park 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. Dale Park 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

The first day of the inspection was unannounced. The second day of the inspection was announced.

What we did before the inspection

We sought feedback from partner agencies such as the local authority. We referred to the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used 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

During our inspection we spoke with 3 people and 2 relatives about their experience of the care provided by Dale Park. We spoke with 1 visiting health professional. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the regional director, the area director, the registered manager, a nurse, carers and auxiliary staff. We walked around the home to check it was safe and fit for purpose. We observed people’s interactions with the care they received. This helped us understand experiences of people who could not talk with us.

We looked at 3 people's care records, medication records and a selection of other records; including quality monitoring records, training records, staff records, and records of checks carried out on the premises and equipment.

After the inspection

We looked at further information around training and supervision and continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

We looked at feedback from people’s friends and relatives online, information from the home’s electronic feedback system and most recent resident’s survey. We spoke with 3 more relatives on the telephone.

Updated 31 March 2023

About the service

Dale Park is a residential care home, providing accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care. The service provides support for up to 54 people; younger adults, older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 18 people were using the service.

The property is set over 2 floors with lift access to the upper floor. There were several communal areas both downstairs and up, multiple shared bathrooms and an accessible rear garden. Aids and adaptations were in place to meet people’s individual needs.

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

We spoke with people, their relatives and staff at Dale Park. Most told us the standards of the home had improved since our last inspection.

Changes to the management structure within the service had been instrumental in the improvements found during our inspection. Staff spoke positively about managers and how they were approachable and supportive. People and their relatives told us they had seen improvements to the standard of care and were complementary about the management and staff team. One relative said, “One of the first things I noticed about the home is that all the staff care about [person], from the cleaners to the manager.” A person living at Dale Park told us, “This is a good home, I am happy here. The staff are all friendly and supportive.” People we observed seemed happy and relaxed during our visit, there was a calming atmosphere.

We observed increased staffing levels, resulting in a more person-centred approach. Auxiliary staff were recruited to support the nursing and care team with the running of the home; contributing to checks and ongoing improvements.

Care records were complete and up to date. Risks to people's health and well-being were appropriately assessed and detailed plans were in place to help manage these and keep people safe. Staff responded quickly to changes in people's needs and relevant referrals to external professionals were made in a timely manner. People told us they felt safe and relatives were confident people were well-looked after.

Accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns were regularly reviewed and analysed by managers. Appropriate action was taken to try and prevent incidents from occurring in the future.

Medicines, including ‘when required’ medicines were managed safely by nurses who received regular reviews of their practice. People received their prescribed medication on time and relevant records were completed accurately.

Safe recruitment processes were followed, and relevant checks completed on new applicants to make sure they were appropriate for the role. Robust systems were in place to make sure that agency staff had relevant experience. Staff training had improved since our last inspection.

The home was clean and hygienic and in the process of being refurbished. Staff received training in infection, prevention and control and were provided with regular updates following changes to guidance; particularly in response to COVID-19. The service supported family members to regularly visit their relatives safely.

People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and mealtimes were now a more relaxed, sociable occasion. There was still a lack of planned, quality activities but the provider assured us they would allocate more resources to activities and people’s wellbeing following our feedback.

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.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 18 January 2022) and there were breaches of regulations. 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.

At our last inspection we recommended that ‘when required’ medicines guidance was kept up to date. At this inspection we found improvements had been made.

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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.