Curtis Weston House

Updated 13 October 2022

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 undertaken by one inspector 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

Curtis Weston House 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. Curtis Weston House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. A manager was in post and had started the process of registering with the CQC.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service and used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We spoke with seven relatives and 13 members of staff including, senior care staff, care assistants, the housekeeper and cook, the manager, deputy manager and area manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people's care records, care delivery records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed.

Updated 13 October 2022

About the service

Curtis Weston House is a residential care home providing personal care to 26 younger and older adults. People using the service had a physical disability, sensory impairment, dementia, mental health needs and a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder.

The care home accommodates up to 44 people across two floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities.

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

Quality assurance systems were not always effective in identifying gaps in information. Care plans required more detail so that staff were fully aware of people’s preferences as to how they wished to be cared for and supported.

People did not always have the stimulation and access to meaningful activities they needed to live as full a fulfilled life they may wish.

People could be assured they were cared for safely as staff knew how to keep people safe and protected people from harm. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to support people. Medicines were managed safely, and people could be assured they received their medicines at the correct time.

People were supported to maintain a healthy diet and had a choice as to where, when and what they ate. They had access to other health professionals when needed. They had their own personal space and access to a garden.

We have made a recommendation about the environment for people living with dementia.

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.

Staff were caring and compassionate and knew people well. People spoke positively about the care and support they received, and they were treated with respect.

People were listened to and knew how to raise a complaint if they needed to. People and staff were confident the manager and provider would act upon any concerns they raised.

Staff felt supported and spoke positively about the new manager and the improvements being made in the service.

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 8 June 2021). The service remains rated requires improvement. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last two consecutive inspections.

Why we inspected

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 inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about care not being person- centred, identifying and responding to risk and staffing. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe, responsive and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Curtis Weston House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.