Newstone House

Updated 4 February 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

This inspection was undertaken by two inspectors and a medicines inspector. An Expert by Experience spoke to relatives by telephone. 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

Newstone House is a 'care home' with nursing care. People in care homes receive accommodation, personal and nursing care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered under the current provider. We sought feedback from the local authority’s quality team. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 11 people and 12 of their relatives. We spoke with 14 staff including the registered manager, the clinical lead, the care co-ordinator, nursing and senior care staff, care staff, companions (staff who support people with their social needs), housekeeping staff, reception staff and the maintenance person. We also spoke with a visiting GP.

We emailed six health and social care professionals who support people at the service to ask their views, we received a response from two of them.

Members of the provider’s higher management team were also present during the inspection and we spoke with them. These were the provider’s operations manager, quality manager, clinical manager, regional support manager and regional facilities manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and a sample of medication records. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including training records, incident records, complaints, compliments, quality assurance processes and various policies and procedures. We discussed the recruitment process and staff supervision and appraisals.

After the inspection the management team sent us additional information about the service provided at Newstone House.

Updated 4 February 2023

About the service

Newstone House is located in the market town of Sturminster Newton in Dorset and comprises of accommodation for people over three floors. The service provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 59 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 50 older people living at the home. Two of these people were staying for a period of respite.

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

There was a very strong emphasis on the provision of activities that were meaningful and therapeutic to the people living in the home. The activity staff developed a comprehensive programme of activities to stimulate people's physical, emotional and cultural need. The wide range of social activities at the home were varied and enabled people to live fulfilled and meaningful lives, both inside the home and within the community. People received a personalised service which was responsive to their individual needs.

People received outstanding care at the end of their lives. Staff ensured people at the end of their lives experienced a comfortable, dignified and pain-free death. Staff were skilled, competent and provided emotional support and practical assistance needed at the end of the person's life.

People felt safe and looked comfortable and relaxed with the staff who supported them. People were treated with kindness and respect by enough staff who had been recruited safely and had the skills and required training to support their needs. A relative told us, “They (staff) are very nice, always friendly, helpful, and efficient.”

People lived in a home which was pleasant, welcoming and well maintained. Risks were managed effectively for individuals and the environment. Assessments of people's needs were comprehensive, with outcomes identified. Care and support was regularly reviewed and updated. Changes in people's risks were promptly identified, and referrals to health care professionals were made to seek additional support in a timely manner.

Risks of infection to people was minimised because staff followed up to date guidance on the use of personal protective equipment.

People’s medicines were generally managed safely, and they received them as prescribed for them. However, we identified some areas for improvement.

People had access to sufficient food and drink and were supported to eat and drink properly, their personal care needs were met, and their dignity and independence were considered. The dining environment was pleasant and there were enough members of staff to provide personal support. The management team had identified the food management at the home was an area which they could improve on and had taken action to address this.

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 and those important to them were involved in making decisions about their care and asked their opinions about the home. They said they were happy with the care and support they received and said they would recommend it to others.

The provider recognised the importance of supporting and caring for their staff team and had good staff retention. They were actively recruiting and used the services of agency staff where their own staff could not fill any duty gaps. Staff felt supported and valued by the provider and said staff morale was good. One member of staff said that following the challenges of the pandemic there was a focus on mental wellbeing for staff and people who lived at the home.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 9 August 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was outstanding, published on 14 April 2020.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out as it is a newly registered service.

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.

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

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.