Background to this inspection
Updated
9 July 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
This inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
Spencer House 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 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. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eleven members of staff including registered manager, deputy manager, unit manager, training manager and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
9 July 2021
About the service
Spencer House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 65 younger and older people, including people living with dementia, mental health and/or physical disabilities. There were 52 people receiving care at the time of the inspection
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported by staff who knew them well and had been safely recruited. Staff received training to ensure they had the skills to complete their roles.
People were protected from abuse. The provider had effective safeguarding and whistleblowing systems and policies in place and staff understood how to recognise signs of abuse and who to report to.
People told us they felt safe and that staff were “Kind, polite, respectful and caring.” Relative’s told us they were comfortable with the care given at Spencer House.
Risks had been assessed and strategies implemented to mitigate risks. Care plans detailed people’s preferences as to how they liked their care to be delivered and included likes and dislikes, and how they wished the staff to communicate with them. People and relatives told us they were involved in their care planning. People had signed consent forms for information to be shared.
The environment appeared clean and infection prevention and control measures were in place. Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning schedules were in place.
The registered manager completed regular audits to ensure lessons could be learnt and improvements made as needed and implemented some improvements immediately after inspection regarding medicines management.
People staff and relatives were all positive about the service and the registered manager. Complaints had been responded to and outcome communicated with all the relevant people as appropriate.
Staff felt supported and were able to feedback and give suggestions to the registered manager on the service. People felt included and updated on changes being made.
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 3 January 2018).
Why we inspected
We received concerns in relation to staff knowledge and safe care. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.