Elmstead Care Home

Updated 14 January 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

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 one inspector and an 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

Elmstead Care Home is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are 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 the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people using the service and five relatives on the telephone. People living at the home had varying levels of communication, so we therefore used our Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experiences of people who could not talk with us. We spent time observing the support provided to people in communal areas, at mealtimes and the interactions between people and staff. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, team leaders and care staff. We looked at four people’s care plans and care records, staff recruitment training and supervision records and records relating to the management of the service such as audits, policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found and due to COVID-19 to ensure people’s continued safety we reviewed a number of records off site.

Updated 14 January 2022

About the service

Elmstead Care Home provides accommodation and personal care support for up to 41 older people. The home is situated within the London borough of Bromley and is spread out over three floors. Care provided includes respite services, day care facilities and care for people recovering from illness. At the time of our inspection there were 37 people living at the service.

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

Risk were managed and reviewed on a regular basis to protect people from possible harm. People were protected from the risk of abuse, because staff were aware of the action to take to ensure people’s safety and well-being. Medicines were managed, administered and stored safely. There were robust systems in place to ensure people were protected from the risk of infection and home was clean and hygienic with sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment which staff used in line with national guidance. Accidents and incidents were recorded, monitored and acted on appropriately. There were safe staff recruitment practices in place and appropriate numbers of staff to meet people’s needs in a timely manner.

People’s needs and preferences continued to be met by appropriately skilled staff with the right knowledge and experience. Staff received training, supervision and appraisals. 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 supported to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and people told us they enjoyed the meals on offer at the home.

People were empowered and supported to maintain relationships with people that were important to them. People and their relatives told us that staff were kind and caring. People were supported to express their views and were involved in decisions about their care. Their privacy and dignity was respected and maintained, and staff supported people to retain their independence.

People received outstanding responsive personalised care and support. Staff had outstanding skills and knowledge in meeting people’s diverse needs. Staff were provided with up to date training in line with best practice that was tailored to meeting people's individual needs and choices. People continued to be empowered and supported to live an active and fulfilling lives.

People received individualised care and support that was exceptionally responsive to their needs and wishes. Responsive partnerships with professionals were maintained to ensure people received high standards of care. Activity provision was outstandingly responsive to people’s needs, person-centred and innovative.

There were suitable arrangements in place to respond to people's concerns and complaints appropriately. The home had an open and inclusive culture and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. There were effective and well-led governance systems in place to monitor, assess and improve the quality of the service.

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

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 26 September 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

We also 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 until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.