Elizabeth Homes

Updated 13 January 2024

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.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors. An Expert by Experience supported this inspection making telephone calls to people’s relatives. 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

Elizabeth Homes 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. Elizabeth Homes is a care home without 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. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced on the first day and announced on the second day.

What we did before the inspection

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 contacted the local authority to gather feedback regarding the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who use the service and 9 relatives about their experience and support they received. We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, the cook, kitchen assistant, senior carers, and care staff. We reviewed 4 people's care plans and multiple medicines records. We reviewed 3 staff files and a variety of records regarding the management of the service.

Updated 13 January 2024

About the service

Elizabeth Homes is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 30 people. The service provides support to older people and people who may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service.

People’s experience of the service and what we found

The environment was not clean, and practices did not always promote good infection, prevention and control. Risks assessments were not always in place or sufficiently robust. Risks in relation to the environment had not always been assessed such as single pane glass. The registered manager sent evidence that work had been planned to address window safety.

Governance systems in place had not been effective at identifying areas for improvement. Records were not always in place or in sufficient detail and they had not always been stored safely.

Recruitment records were not always clear when checks had been carried out. We have made a recommendation about this. Medicines management was not always in line with best practice. We have made a recommendation about this.

People did not always have care plans in place to show they had been given the opportunity to discuss their end of life wishes. We have made a recommendation about this.

People were happy with the support they received; however, care plans and risk assessment were not always in place or sufficiently person centred. We have made a recommendation about this. People were supported to take part in activities and to access the community. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with their friends and family.

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. However, records regarding Mental Capacity Act 2005 had not always been recorded as decision specific. People were supported with their fluid and nutrition, and we received positive feedback regarding the food available.

People were supported by kind and caring staff, who they had developed positive relationships with. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity.

Staff felt supported by the management team, they told us they received regular supervision but could access support at any time should they require.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 17 May 2018.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to risk management, infection prevention and control and governance. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

We have made recommendations in relation to medicines, recruitment, end of life care planning and person-centred care planning.