Background to this inspection
Updated
12 February 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 1 February 2022 and was unannounced.
Updated
12 February 2022
About the service: Alderwood is a nursing care home registered to provide accommodation for up to 32 people. The home is split into two units; one for rehabilitation for younger adults living with enduring mental health conditions and the other unit provides assessments and short breaks for people living with dementia. At the time of this inspection 15 people were living at the service.
On the upstairs unit the service can accept up to five people who require an assessment and seven people on short breaks. This floor also houses the Mental Health Concerns’ community team who work in partnership with the local Mental Health Trust to support people who are living with dementia and display severe behaviours that may challenge. The community team make the referrals for people who may benefit from accessing a further assessment at Alderwood.
What life is like for people using this service: Staff were making a difference to people’s wellbeing by working well as a team, in harmony with one another and by sharing the same values and principles. We saw copious amounts of evidence confirming this was the case.
On both units we found that staff were totally committed to delivering a service which improved people’s lives in fulfilling and creative ways. Their drive and passion had created a dynamic and vibrant service.
Staff focused fully on the goals and aspirations of the people who used the service. People on the downstairs unit told us that the staff had enabled them to rebuild their relationships with family members and this meant a great deal to them.
Staff took steps to safeguard vulnerable adults and promoted their human rights. Incidents were dealt with appropriately, which helped to keep people safe. People’s health needs were identified and external professionals involved if necessary.
People participated in a range of activities that met their individual choices and preferences. Staff understood the importance of this for people and provided the structured support people required. This enabled people to achieve positive outcomes and promoted a good quality of life.
The service was well run. The senior managers carried out lots of checks to make sure that the service was effective.
Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 13 June 2016).
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we revisit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.