Archived: Eastlands Care Home

Updated 20 November 2021

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 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.

Service and service type

Eastlands 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

Prior to the inspection we carried out a monitoring activity of the service. This included reviewing information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who worked with the service. We spoke with two people using the service and five relatives. We also spoke with two care assistants, one senior care assistant and the cook, as well as the registered manager. We reviewed a number of records relating to the running of the service. We used the information the provider sent us in their 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.

The information we gathered as part of our monitoring activity was used as evidence during this inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with a senior care assistant, a care assistant, the deputy manager, the registered manager, and the regional support manager. We carried out observations of the care provided and of the environment. We reviewed care records relating to the care provided to three people using the service. We reviewed medicine administration records relating to four people’s care. We also reviewed a range of other records relating to the management of the service, safety of the environment, and staff recruitment.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at records relating to incidents in the service and cleaning records.

Updated 20 November 2021

About the service

Eastlands Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to eight people aged 65 and over, some of whom were living with dementia, at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 35 people.

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

Whilst we found overall improvements had been made, we identified issues at this inspection that had not been identified within the provider’s own governance systems. Whilst the issues identified did not significantly impact on the safety of people’s care it meant we could not be confident that the governance systems in place were robust enough to capture areas of concern. We found further work was required to strengthen systems supporting the delivery of person-centred care within the service, relating to activities and care planning.

Despite these findings it was clear the service had made progress and improvements were evident. Everyone we spoke with told us there had been a marked improvement in the care provided. Communication with people, relatives, and staff had greatly improved.

People were supported to stay safe. Risks were assessed and actions taken to address these. A programme of refurbishment was taking place and improvements in relation to the management of the premises and equipment had been made. Everyone we spoke with noted improvements in staffing, people were now being supported with enough consistent staff. People received their medicines safely and actions had been taken to reduce the risk of infection.

People received care that met their individual needs. Whilst there was lack of formal involvement in care planning, people and their relatives told us they felt informed and consulted on the delivery of the care provided. Staff knew people well including their life histories and this helped them provide care that was in line with people’s needs and preferences.

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

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 10 April 2021). This service has been in Special Measures since April 2021.During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

Prior to the inspection we carried out a monitoring review of the service. A monitoring review considers a range of information such as the current rating, any ongoing or planned regulatory activities, information about safeguarding, whistleblowing, incident reports (we call these statutory notifications) and whether the service has a registered manager, feedback from people who use services and their family and friends, and other contextual information. This prompted us to carry out this inspection.

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.

Enforcement

We have identified a breach in relation to good governance at this inspection.

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. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.