Archived: Signature at Guildford

Updated 21 June 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

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and 1 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

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

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

The service had recently appointed a manager who has submitted their application to the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. This means that the provider is 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 its registration. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 9 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We received feedback from 8 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We received feedback from 3 healthcare professionals who regularly visit the service. We spoke with 19 members of staff including the service manager, deputy manager, operations director, dementia care manager, maintenance manager, activities staff, care workers, senior care workers, nurses, medication technicians and administrators. We observed interactions between staff and people who used the service. We reviewed 10 people’s care records, 21 people’s electronic medication administration records (EMARs) and 6 staff recruitment files.

Updated 21 June 2023

About the service

Signature at Guildford is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 101 people. The service is set across three floors, of which the top floor is adapted for people living with dementia. There were 81 people living at the service at the time of the inspection.

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

People and their relatives told us staff were kind and caring towards them and that they felt safe living at the service. There were sufficient staff to support people with their needs. Staff were aware of risks related to people’s care and how to support people whilst helping maintain their independence. Staff knew how to whistleblow and raise concerns should they need to.

People’s medicines were managed safely. People told us they had access to healthcare professionals and care records we reviewed confirmed this.

Safety checks of the premises and fire safety checks were undertaken and there were plans in place in the event of an emergency evacuation. Staff had completed individual personal emergency evacuation plans for people.

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.

We were assured the service were following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe.

Care records were person-centred and included information on risks associated with people’s care.

Staff had received regular training and supervisions in order to perform their roles effectively. Staff were supported in their progression and supervisions gave them the opportunity to track their progress.

People were provided with a range of activities which included group activities and one-to-one activities. Staff had considered the risk of social isolation and people confirmed that they were able to partake in activities but that their wishes were respected should they choose not to participate.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided. People and their relatives told us they knew how to complain and that the manager would listen to their concerns. They told us that they were given the opportunity to feed back on the service and attend meetings.

People, their relatives and staff told us that there was a positive atmosphere at the service which engaged them. They told us that the service was managed effectively and spoke positively of the management and staff.

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 10 December 2021 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 11 December 2021. This service is operated by 2 companies. These 2 companies have a dual registration and are jointly responsible for the services at the home.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service and based on the date it first registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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.

Follow up

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