Background to this inspection
Updated
22 March 2022
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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 24 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
22 March 2022
About the service
Worthington Lake is a purpose built residential ‘care home’ providing personal and nursing care for up to 34 people aged 65 and over. Accommodation is provided across two floors which can be accessed via a stair-well and passenger lift. All bedrooms are en-suite and there are spacious communal kitchen facilities as well as social, dining and garden areas that people can access. At the time of this inspection 20 people were living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe and effective care that was tailored around their individual support needs and areas of risk. People’s support needs were established from the outset, areas of risk were regularly monitored, and care reviews were regularly taking place. People were protected from abuse, safeguarding procedures were in place.
Medication procedures were safe. All staff were trained to administer medication and regularly had their competency levels checked. Health and safety procedures were followed, regulatory compliance was met, and infection control support measures were generally complied with. The environment was specifically adapted and designed in conjunction with best practice, research and guidance to support people living with dementia.
Safe and robust recruitment procedures were in place; people received care and support by staff who had been appropriately recruited and thoroughly inducted in their roles. The home was purposely ‘over-staffed’ at the time of the inspection. The provider explained that they wanted to recruit, train and induct all staff so they could provide the appropriate level of care as the capacity of the home increased. Training compliance was generally met, although some training courses were still in the process of being sourced.
The provider complied with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). 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.
People received timely and effective care and support from Worthington Lake staff as well as external health and social care professionals. The provider also employed an ‘in-house’ occupational therapist who provided effective support as and when it was required. Partnership working ensured that people received a holistic level of care with all aspects of their health and well-being. People were supported to maintain healthy, balanced diets. Care records contained information about people’s dietary support needs, preferences and likes.
We observed staff providing kind, compassionate, dignified and person-centred care that was tailored around people’s support needs and preferences. An electronic care record system contained up to date, consistent person-centred details for staff to familiarise themselves with. There was no dedicated activities co-ordinator in place however, it was the responsibility of all staff to support the activities schedule and encourage people to participate.
The quality and safety of care was routinely assessed, monitored and improved upon. Accidents, incidents and safeguarding events were investigated, lessons were learnt, and measures were put in place to effectively manage risk and keep people safe.
For more details, please see the full report which is on The Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on March 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
The inspection was carried out as part of our inspection schedule.
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.