The Kensington Care Home

Updated 22 September 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 20 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 22 September 2020

We conducted an inspection of The Kensington Care Home on 10, 13, 14 and 15 August 2018. The first day of the inspection was unannounced. We told the provider we would be returning for the other days.

At our last inspection on 11 and 17 July 2017, we identified some concerns in relation to moving and handling techniques used, the maintenance of a calm environment and the provision of mealtime assistance.

The Kensington Care Home 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. The Kensington Care Home provides nursing care, respite and accommodation for up to 53 older people. The home is located in a Victorian terraced property, converted and arranged over three floors which each have lift access. At the time of our inspection there were 39 people using the service.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

There were enough suitably trained and safely appointed care staff working at the home. Care staff were given enough training and ongoing support.

Risks to be people’s safety were managed appropriately, with clear guidance in place for care staff.

People told us they felt safe living at the home. The provider had an effective safeguarding policy and procedure in place and care staff were appropriately trained and aware of their responsibilities.

Good infection control practices were operated throughout the building. The home appeared clean, tidy and odour free throughout our inspection.

People were supported to maintain a healthy diet. Care records contained a good level of detail about people’s health and nutritional needs. Kitchen staff were also aware of people’s nutritional requirements and offered people choices with their meals.

People were supported with their healthcare needs. People’s care records contained a good level of detail about their current needs and care staff assisted them to access external healthcare professionals when needed.

People using the service and their relatives were involved in decisions about their care and how their needs were met.

The organisation had good systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Feedback was obtained from people through quarterly residents and relatives meetings and we saw feedback was actioned as appropriate. There was evidence of further auditing in many areas of care and action was taken to rectify any issues identified as a result.

There were good systems in place for the safe management and administration of medicines. Staff had completed medicines administration training within the last year and were clear about their responsibilities.

Staff a good understanding of their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Mental capacity assessments were completed when needed and we saw these in people’s care files. Authorisation had been sought and obtained from the local authority where staff felt it was in a person’s best interests to deprive them of their liberty.

People told us care staff were caring and our observations supported this. Care staff demonstrated they knew people’s likes and dislikes in relation to their care and demonstrated an understanding of people’s personal circumstances. Care staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and people’s cultural and religious needs were met. Care staff were trained to provide appropriate end of life care.

People knew how to make complaints and there was a complaints policy and procedure in place.

The service employed three activities coordinators who delivered a varied activities programme. People’s feedback was sought in relation to the activities on offer and the timetable was altered in accordance with people’s views.