Netherton Green Care Home

Updated 7 December 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector, an assistant inspector, a specialist advisor (who was a qualified nurse) 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

Netherton Green Care Home 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.

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; however, the manager had begun the registration process with the CQC.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the 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 sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 13 people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 15 staff including the manager, regional director, clinical services managers, nurses, senior care workers, care workers, domestic staff and kitchen staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 10 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including the provider's dependency tools, audits and policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 7 December 2022

About the service

Netherton Green Care Home provides personal and nursing care to older people, people with physical disabilities and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 37 people were living there. The service can support up to 120 people.

Netherton Green Care Home is purpose built and consists of four single story buildings named, Primrose, Windmill, Darby and Saltwells. At the time of our inspection Primrose and Saltwells were closed.

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

The provider had failed to have systems in place to adequately prevent and control infection. The provider did not always safely manage medicines. The provider had assessed people’s risks and implemented plans to mitigate this. Staff were recruited safely. People were safe from abuse.

People did not enjoy the food. The design and decoration of the service did not always meet people’s needs. The provider ensured assessments of people’s care needs and personal choices were completed. The provider worked well with other agencies.

Staff treated people well, with kindness, respect and compassion. People were involved in reviews of their care. People’s dignity was respected.

Care plans were person centred and specific to people’s needs. People’s communication needs were met. People’s complaints were managed well.

The provider’s governance systems failed to identify poor infection control practices and unsafe medicine management. The provider failed to ensure learning from accidents and incidents was shared. Staff felt supported in their role. People told us the provider communicated with them well.

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.

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 inadequate (published 17 February 2022) and there were breaches of Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment), Regulation 17 (Good Governance) and Regulation 18 (Staffing). 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 Regulation 18. However, we found the provider remained in breach of Regulation 12 (Safe care and treatment) and Regulation 17 (Good Governance).

This service has been in Special Measures since 4 January 2022. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and governance at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.