Summerhayes Care Home

Updated 12 February 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 28 January 2021 and was announced.

Updated 12 February 2021

Summerhayes is a small family run home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 14 older people with a range of needs catered for. The home is a large detached Georgian property standing in its own gardens in the small village of Sandford, near Crediton. There were 14 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. There are two floors, which are accessed by a stair lift.

Summerhayes is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission regulates both the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found that the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager at the service, who was also the registered provider. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Why the service is rated Good.

People remain very happy living at Summerhayes. They expressed their appreciation and thanks to all the staff who provided care and support for them. Staff provided compassionate care and treated people as family members. There was a lot of laughter and joy in the home, and a strong visible person-centred culture. Care staff worked with people to encourage independence wherever possible. Care staff had thought of different ways to enhance people’s lives and this had a positive impact on their wellbeing.

There were excellent relationships with families and they were made to feel very welcome at the home. People enjoyed their meals and had a choice every day. People said they were treated with dignity and respect. Attention was made to ensure people felt comfortable about the care they were given. One relative said “Excellent care, can’t fault them”.

End of life care had been provided with sensitivity and respect for people’s needs and individual wishes. People felt able to make decisions about their care and the staff respected those decisions. Staff were mindful of people’s needs regarding equality, diversity and human rights. The service was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Accessible Information Standard. One relative said “They always ask consent and always include her in discussions. They use gentle persuasion in a subtle way”.

Staff were skilled and experienced and received up to date training and regular supervision. People received safe care and risks were managed well. Health care needs were managed well and staff were very proactive in contacting the GPs if needed. There were personalised care plans for each person. Staff were aware of people’s personal histories and what was important to them.

There were a range of activities and opportunities for people to experience. People went out of the home on a regular basis and could keep in touch with their local community. There were sufficient numbers of staff working at the home with the necessary skills to provide care for people. One person said “Nothing is too much trouble. I am never rushed”. Everyone we spoke with said the staff were very knowledgeable and helpful in every way.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Staff had a good understanding of systems in place to manage medicines and safeguarding. The temperatures of medicine storage in people’s bedrooms was not being monitored as is advised. Since the inspection, the registered manager has informed CQC that thermometers are being purchased to remedy this.

There were good management arrangements at the home. Quality assurance systems in place identified areas for improvement. People could raise concerns with the registered manager and these were investigated and responded to. Staff felt well supported by the management team. There was good team working and the staff morale was high.