Uplands Care Home

Updated 26 February 2021

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, 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 team consisted of two inspectors and two Experts 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

Uplands 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.

Notice of inspection

We gave a short period notice of the inspection because of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure our activity would bring minimal disruption as possible.

What we did before the inspection

The provider completed 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.

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 reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We also sought feedback from the local authority. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven members of staff including, three nurses, three health care workers, a domestic, the registered manager and a regional quality assurance manager.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We observed care within the home in the lounges, dining room and communal areas.

We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four 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 spoke with 23 relatives of people using the service about their experience of the care provided to their family members at Uplands Care Home. We received feedback from two nurses and two health care workers we contacted by telephone. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 26 February 2021

Uplands Care Home is residential care home providing personal and nursing care. The home accommodates up to 65 people in one purpose-built building, across two floors, each of which has separate facilities with lift access to the first floor. One of the floors specialises in providing care to people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, there were 61 people using the service one of whom had a learning disability.

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

There was not enough or appropriate signage around the building to assist people living with dementia.

Some areas of the home and carpeted areas were in need of refurbishment. The décor and signage on the first floor was not dementia friendly to people living with dementia.

We made a recommendation in relation to the premises.

People told us they felt safe living at the home. Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from the risk of harm. Staff were aware of the provider’s safeguarding procedures and followed these to raise concerns about people’s well-being. Risks to people were assessed and managed. People received the support they required to manage their medicines.

Staff were recruited in a safe manner. They received induction and training before they started to support people at the service. Staff received training and regular supervisions to ensure they had the skills and experience to provide care to people. People received care from a sufficient number of staff.

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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

People’s needs were assessed and reviewed. Support plans were in place and showed how people wanted their care delivered. Staff understood people's health conditions.

People received the support they required when there were concerns about their health.

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 with the staff who provided their care. They told us staff treated them with dignity and kindness. People were supported to maintain relationships with people that were important to them. Information was available to people in a format they understood.

People liked the food provided at the home. Staff supported people to make decisions about what they wanted to eat and drink. People’s preferences and dietary needs were met. Mealtimes were unrushed and calm and dining tables were nicely presented.

People and their relatives were encouraged to provide feedback. Feedback received from people who used the service and their relatives was in the majority positive. The provider used feedback from people and their relatives to improve the quality of care provided. People knew how to make a complaint and raise any concerns. Complaints were investigated and addressed.

There were effective systems to record, monitor and audit accidents and incidents. Plans were put in place to minimise a re-occurrence. The provider worked in partnership with other professionals and agencies to meet people's care needs.

Staff told us they were happy working at the service. They spoke positively about the culture and management of the organisation. Staff said the registered manager was approachable and that they were encouraged to openly discuss any issues. Audit and governance systems were used to monitor the quality of the service and to drive improvement. Statutory notifications were sent to CQC as required.

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

Rating at last inspection

The service was registered with us on 02/08/2016.

The last rating for the service was good, published on 23 January 2018.

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

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the overall quality of care provided to people using the service.

We have found evidence that the provider made improvements prior to our visit to mitigate risks.

Follow up

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.