Addison Park

Updated 13 May 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

Addison Park is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us.

The service did not have a registered manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The current manager was in the process of registering for this role. The registered manager 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

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided.

We spoke with four members of staff as well as the manager and deputy manager. We also spoke with a visiting healthcare professional and one relative.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and the medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. We reviewed staff training and support. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audit and governance records.

Updated 13 May 2022

About the service

Addison provides accommodation and personal care for up to 37 people. The service does not provide nursing care. Nursing services are provided by the community nursing team. At the time of the inspection there were 35 people living at the service.

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

People told us they were happy with the care they received and people said they felt safe living there. Comments from people included, “I would give them all 5 stars, they are really kind. There are a lot of options for activities but I like my books" and "I love it here they are all so kind. I have no family so I have decided to stay here as there is always someone to speak to."

People looked happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service. Relatives told us, “They do a brilliant job here with (Person’s name). She is being incredibly well looked after. The lovely lady who does the activities has done her nails again its really lovely” and "They are all very kind, I have no problems at all, other than it is such a long way for me to travel to see him. The staff keep me well informed. I am happy with the care they are receiving, I cannot complain about anything at all"

The building was clean, odour free and there were appropriate procedures to ensure any infection control risks were minimised.

Cleaning and infection control procedures had been updated in line with COVID-19 guidance to help protect people, visitors and staff from the risk of infection. Suitable visiting arrangements were in place for families to visit as per current government guidance.

People received their medicines safely and on time. Medicines were safely stored and managed.

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 by staff who had the knowledge and skills to meet peoples needs. Staff were recruited safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people’s needs were met. There was time for people to have social interaction and there was a designated activities staff member to assist people. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm.

Staff received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely. However, recorded one to one supervision had not taken place, in accordance with the service policy, due to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. We have made a recommendation about this in the effective section of this report.

The environment was safe, with upgrades and redecoration taking place in an ongoing programme throughout the service. People had access to equipment where needed. There was an effective and well organised management system in place for the monitoring of all equipment and services in use at Addison Park.

People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.

Records of people's care were individualised and reflected each person’s needs and preferences. Risks were identified, and staff had guidance to help them support people to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. People’s communication needs were identified, and where they wanted, people had end of life wishes explored and recorded.

People were involved in making their own meal choices and staff encouraged them to eat a well-balanced diet and make healthy eating choices. Special diets were catered for.

People were supported by a service that was well managed. Records were accessible and up to date. The management and staff knew people well and worked together to help ensure people received a good service.

Staff told us the manager, deputy and the provider of the service were available and assisted them whenever required. They went onto say how they were approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised. One staff member said; “It has been a little difficult with so many changes in managers over recent times. Since this manager and the deputy have been here, they have been very supportive. We can get help whenever we need to.”

People and their families were provided with information about how to make a complaint and details of the complaint’s procedure were provided to people and their families.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 15 July 2019).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about some aspects of the running of the service such as the change in meal provision at the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review they key questions of safe, effective and well led only.

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.

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.

The overall rating for the service has remained good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

Follow up

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.