Sunhill Court Nursing Home

Updated 19 August 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 undertaken by 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

Sunhill Court Nursing Home 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. Sunhill Court Nursing Home 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.

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 the last inspection, including concerns raised by members of the public. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people and a relative about their experience of the service. We spoke with the provider’s compliance director, regional director, registered manager, deputy manager, clinical lead, chef, and 3 care staff.

We reviewed a range of records including 4 care plans and multiple medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection, we received feedback about the home from 2 healthcare professionals.

Updated 19 August 2023

About the service

Sunhill Court Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 40 people, the majority of whom are living with dementia and/or mental health conditions. At the time of our inspection, 32 people were using the service.

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

We had significant concerns about a person living at the home and made a safeguarding referral as a result. Some parts of the home were not cleaned or maintained to a good standard. The administration of medicines to people required improvement because eye drops were left on top of the trolley. Hand hygiene by the staff member was not undertaken between each person receiving their medicines. One person receiving their medicine in their dessert was not supervised to ensure they took all their medicine.

At lunchtime, several people had to wait a while before they received their meal; this caused anxiety for some. People’s preferences with regard to menu planning were acknowledged and included. People were encouraged in a healthy lifestyle with their dietary needs, and healthcare professionals were involved in their care. The layout of the home was accessible and conducive to people living with dementia. People were supported by staff who knew them well.

Audits were not sufficiently robust to monitor the care delivered and the service overall. Environmental audits had not identified issues found at this inspection. Risk assessments were not always documented accurately with information and guidance for staff to follow. Notifications of abuse or alleged abuse had not always been sent to CQC in line with regulatory requirements.

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 were happy living at the home. One person said, “They look after me very well. I don’t get too lonely as staff pop in, check on me and have a chat. There are enough staff. Sometimes they are a bit short, but generally, yes, there’s enough, and some are very good.” There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s care and support needs promptly. Staff were recruited safely.

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 this service was good (published 7 April 2020).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about safeguarding. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

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.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well led section of this report. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

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

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to the administration of medicines, risk management, monitoring of the service and auditing systems, protecting people from abuse or harm, and statutory notifications.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.