Woodlands Gate Rest Home

Updated 10 November 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 22 October 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 10 November 2020

About the service:

Woodlands Gate is a care home that provides personal care for older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, 17 people lived at the service. The home is established over two floors, with a range of communal areas included three lounges, a dining room and a large garden.

People’s experience of using this service:

People told us they were safe, felt happy with the service and that staff were caring and responsive. Staff enjoyed working with people and relatives recognised that staff and managers often went ‘the extra mile’ to make sure people received the support they needed.

There were sufficient staff on duty on the day of the inspection to keep people safe and meet people’s needs. People told us they sometimes had to wait for their care if the home was not fully staffed on a particular day. Staff were checked to make sure they were suitable to work in the home and were well trained for their work.

Medicines were well managed although records did not always show whether people had received their medication or not. Audits and checks were effective in highlighting areas for improvement and action was taken when errors had been found.

People enjoyed the food and had access to regular drinks and snacks throughout the day. Staff ensured people’s health was monitored and referrals were made to healthcare professionals as and when required.

The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and people’s consent was obtained before care and support was given. People were supported in the least restrictive way possible so that they had maximum control over their lives.

People were consistently treated with respect and patience and were able to make choices about how they wanted to be supported and how they wanted to spend their day. People were also supported to maintain their independence wherever possible.

People and their relatives knew how to complain and were asked to give feedback on the service on a regular basis. Staff ensured there were regular activities on offer for people to take part in if they so wished and relatives were made to feel welcome in the home.

People, staff and relatives were happy with the way the service was being led and managed and we saw that managers were visible in the home and approachable. There was a culture of delivering good quality care which was person-centred and reflected people’s needs.

More information is in the detailed findings below.

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 21 September 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Enforcement:

No enforcement action was required.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk