Trenant House Care Home

Updated 25 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 22 January 2021 and was unannounced.

Updated 25 February 2021

The inspection at Trenant Care Home (“Trenant”) took place on the 11 and 12 December 2018 and was unannounced. When we last inspected in October 2017 we judged the service to be requires improvement as there were concerns in relation to the environment, staffing, care planning and the quality monitoring of the service. At the inspection in October 2017 we found breaches of regulations in relation to the environment and quality monitoring. We also highlighted where improvements needed to be made.

At this inspection we looked at whether the breaches of regulations had been addressed and if improvements highlighted had been actioned. We found improvements had been made in relation to the environment, staffing levels, activities and quality auditing. Improvements had been made in the planning of people’s care and these improvements were on-going. The provider was introducing an electronic recording system, which they felt would further improve the documentation and delivery of people’s support arrangements. We have made a recommendation in relation to personalised care planning for the provider to consider as part of this process.

Trenant is registered with us to provide accommodation and care for up to 24 people. People have a mental health diagnosis or history of such diagnosis. People may also be living with other needs associated with their mental health as well as other conditions such as a learning disability.

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

Trenant is an older Victorian style property with accommodation over two floors. People had access to communal areas, as well as their own bedrooms with communal bathrooms and some en-suite facilities. The home had a large accessible garden area, which people said they enjoyed using during the summer months.

A registered manager was employed to manage the service. 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.

People living at Trenant had a range of complex needs associated with their mental health. Some people had found themselves in a crisis situation before moving to Trenant and had either required admission to hospital or intervention and support at home. Professionals from the local mental health services said they had been impressed with how responsive the registered manager had been supporting people in crisis situations. A healthcare professional said although people they had supported had had numerous breakdowns of previous placements, all had said they were happy to stay living at Trenant.

The environment was well maintained and improvements had been made since the last inspection in October 2017. A large conservatory had been added to the front of the property, which was a large, bright communal space for people to enjoy. A ground floor bathroom had also been renovated and included a new electronic bath for people who chose not to use a hoist but were unable to stand in a bath. This meant more people had access to enjoy a bath as part of their personal care routine.

People were safe, because staff assessed risks associated with people’s needs and understood what to do to minimise them. Staff were well trained and employed in sufficient numbers to keep people safe and meet their needs. Staff said they had time to spend time with people and this was considered an important part of their role. The recruitment of staff was robust and helped ensure all staff were fit and appropriate to work with vulnerable adults.

People’s medicines were managed safely. People’s health was monitored and they had access to a range of health services when required. People’s specific dietary requirements were understood, and people had access to a healthy and balanced diet.

The registered manager and staff knew people well and were familiar with people’s daily routines.

People were supported by staff who cared about them and promoted their rights, privacy and dignity.

People were supported to have maximum control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People had access to independent advocacy services to help them make decisions about their care and lifestyle.

People were able to occupy their time with meaningful activities. Staff spent time with people, sitting and chatting and people went out and about in the community on their own or supported by staff.

People said they knew how to make a complaint and raise concerns. They said they felt confident their views would be listened to and addressed. The provider and registered manager used complaints and other incidents as an opportunity to learn and improve.

The registered manager and provider worked regularly in the home. People, staff and other agencies said the registered manager and provider was supportive and visible in the service. Staff said they felt valued and well supported by their colleagues and management.