Tree Vale Limited Acorn House

Updated 30 January 2021

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 coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

Prior to our inspection, Wirral NHS Infection Control Team had visited the service and had no concerns.

This inspection took place on 07 January 2021 and was unannounced.

Updated 30 January 2021

Tree Vale Acorn House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Tree Vale Acorn House is registered to provide accommodation for up to 33 people who require accommodation and support with their personal care. The home is located in residential area. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people who lived at the home.

At the last inspection the service was rated overall requires improvement. At this inspection we found the service had continued to improve and a rating of ‘good’ has been achieved. This reflects the hard work of the manager, deputy manager, provider and staff since our last inspection.

We spoke with three people who lived in the home. They all gave spoke highly of the home and the staff who supported them. It was clear from what people said that the manager and staff team were well thought of. They told us the manager and staff were kind, caring and that the support provided was good.

People’s care records contained clear and easy to understand information about people’s needs and risks and how to support them effectively. People’s life histories were included and gave staff information about their families, life prior to coming to live at the home and the things that were important to them in their day to day lives. This gave staff an understanding of the people they supported so that positive relationships could be developed.

Staff spoken with had a good knowledge of people’s needs and spoke with genuine affection about the people they supported. The atmosphere at the home was warm, homely and relaxed. People and staff chatted socially to each other, these conversations were natural and it was obvious that people had warm relationships with staff members.

Staff recruitment was safe. The service was staffed sufficiently at all times and staff had received the training and support they needed to provide safe and appropriate care.

People’s physical emotional well-being was at the forefront of the service. Where people’s mental health had declined we saw that prompt action was taken to get people the help they needed. Where people needed help to make informed decisions about their care, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 had been followed to ensure that people had the support of external advocacy service or family members. Records showed that any decisions made on people’s behalf had been done so in their best interests.

People’s physical health was monitored and responded to quickly if they became unwell. Changes in people’s mobility needs were promptly addressed with referrals to the falls prevention team or occupational therapy for a re-assessment of their needs.

Accidents and incidents and people’s health needs were managed appropriately with support from a range of health and social care professionals. Medication was managed satisfactorily and staff had clear guidance on how and when to administer ‘as and when’ required medications such as Paracetamol in order to maintain people’s comfort.

People received enough to eat and drink and had a choice. People told us the food was of a good quality and we saw that portion sizes were ample. Where people did not like what was on offer, an alternative meal was provided without hesitation.

A range of person centred activities were provided ranging from a music sessions, nail care, balloon games, bingo and quizzes. This promoted people’s social and emotional well-being. People’s well-being and level of participation in the activities provided was monitored and responded to where appropriate.

There were a range of effective mechanisms in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and the views of people were regularly sought by the manager. This was good practice.

During our visit, we had no concerns about people’s care or the service itself. We found the home to be well-run with a passionate and caring staff team who worked hard to provide good care.