Glencoe Care Home

Updated 13 May 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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.

Service and service type

Glencoe 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.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

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 also reviewed notifications. Notifications are specific events registered people must tell us about by law. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people about their experience of care provided. We spoke with the registered manager and four staff members.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 13 May 2021

About the service

Glencoe Care Home is a care home with nursing and accommodates up to 20 people. The service provides care and support to people who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people living at Glencoe.

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

People told us they were happy with the care they received and felt safe living there. One person said; “I’m very happy” and someone else said; “Couldn’t be happier.”

A survey completed by a relative recorded; “During COVID-19 staff worked twice as hard to keep people safe.” People looked happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Another recorded; “We are very happy with the care given at these difficult times.” Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service.

The service had sufficient supplies of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) available. Signage was in place throughout the service regarding the requirements for wearing PPE and included doffing and donning of PPE safely. Additional information was provided on what PPE needed to be worn when a person was assessed as being at higher risk of infection.

Staff came to work wearing their own clothes then changed into their uniforms in a designated room. Staff completed appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely, including PPE and dementia care training.

There were supplies of anti-bacterial wipes around the service to enable staff to clean surfaces and any areas, including bathrooms, they had used. There were posters around the service to prompt and remind staff about the infection control procedures in place. All high contact areas were cleaned regularly throughout the day and night.

The environment was safe, with upgrades and redecoration ongoing when possible due to the COVID-19 restriction. People had access to equipment they required.

Procedures were in place regarding self-isolation for people and staff, if they showed symptoms of COVID-19. Specific COVID-19 policies had also been developed to provide guidance for staff about how to respond to the pandemic and the outbreak.

New COVID-19 visitors’ policy had been updated since new guidance was released by the government. This included two designated visitors for each person living in the service. All visitors were required to make appointments and a designated room was made available for visitors and people living in the service. Friends and families were provided with the updated policy detailing the new restrictions. Where visiting was required for compassionate reasons, suitable infection control procedures were in place. Visitors were screened for COVID-19 prior to entering the service. Visitors were required to wear PPE at all times.

People were supported to speak with their friends and family using IT and the telephone as necessary.

Appropriate testing procedures for COVID-19 had been implemented for all staff and people who used the service and followed national guidance regarding the frequency and type of testing. Arrangements had been made to enable people and staff to access the vaccine.

Infection control policies and procedures had been updated in line with the national guidance relating to COVID-19. Staff had completed online infection prevention and control and COVID-19 training. The registered manager worked with all staff to ensure infection prevention and control measures were followed.

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 were supported by a staff team who completed an induction, regular training and were supervised. Staff were recruited safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people’s needs were met. There was time for people to have social interaction and activities with staff. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm.

People were supported by a service that was well managed. Records were accessible and up to date. The management and staff knew people well and worked together to help ensure people received a good service. Agency staff were not used, and staff covered and supported each other when shifts required filling to cover leave or other absences during the pandemic. People and staff told us the management of the service were hands on, approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised.

People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.

Records of people's care were individualised and reflected each person’s needs and preferences. Risks were identified including additional risk to people if they were vulnerable to catching COVID-19. Staff had guidance to help them support people to reduce the risk of avoidable harm.

Rating at last inspection and update:

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 20 June 2019) and there was one breach of regulation. 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.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective and Well Led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

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.