Updated 22 November 2019
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.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by an inspector, a specialist advisor, with clinical experience of supporting people who live with dementia, 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
Whitelow 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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke about Whitelow with two people, seven relatives, eight staff and two members of the management team. We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure Whitelow was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.
We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the home, responded to any concerns and led Whitelow in ongoing improvements. We checked care records of three people and looked at staffing levels, recruitment procedures and training provision.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at records related to training and staffing levels.