Anson Court

Updated 4 March 2023

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 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 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

Anson Court Care Home 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. Anson Court Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 26 January 2023 and ended on 7 February 2023. We visited the service on 26 January 2023

What we did before 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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 9 people and 2 relatives and friends about their experience of the care provided to their family members. We spoke with 13 members of staff including the registered manager, supporting manager, regional manager, care and ancillary staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 7 people’s care records. We looked at 2 staff checklists in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

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.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 4 March 2023

About the service

Anson Court is a residential care home providing personal to up to 75 people. The service provides support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia, in one purpose-built building. At the time of our inspection there were 70 people using the service.

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

There were robust monitoring processes in place to help ensure a good standard of service. Quality assurance systems identified any areas that needed further development and any remedial actions were implemented. However, the overview of accidents and incidents needed to be more robust to help ensure any themes and trends were identified and if any additional actions were needed.

There had been a high number of falls and incidents in the home. The team were working with external professionals to review people’s needs, review medicines, check equipment, provide staff training and referrals to health professionals. They had seen a reduction In falls and incidents due to this work.

The registered manager was away from the service at the time of the inspection visit, the service was supported by manager from another of the provider’s locations. They worked closely with the care team and the regional manager to help ensure consistent management and a good service for people.

People felt they were safe and well supported by the service. Individual risks were assessed, and staff were aware of these. Reviews of events and accidents were carried out and any actions needed were undertaken. Medicines were managed well, and staff knew how to report any concerns about people’s safety or welfare. People told us there was usually enough staff to meet their needs. Staff communicated well to help ensure needs were met in a timely way.

Infection control was managed well. People were happy that staff no longer needed to wear masks. There was a risk assessment in place should the use of masks be needed.

Staff received appropriate training for their role and people felt they had good knowledge and skills. Staff felt supported by the provider and management team. People told us staff assisted them with eating and drinking as needed and respected their preferences and choices.

People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring, they were happy living at Anson Court. Interactions observed were very positive, staff responded to people in a way that anticipated their needs and demonstrated they knew people well. All observations found staff to be attentive and caring about the people they supported.

People told us they enjoyed the activities available. Observations found people having plenty to do and a positive atmosphere in the home. The building set up enabled people to move around and gave opportunities for socialising. The building was decorated nicely and felt homely.

Staff enjoyed working at Anson Court and wanted to ensure people were happy and well cared for. Care plans included all information needed to support people safely and in accordance with their wishes and preferences. These were reviewed regularly.

People, relatives and staff felt their views about the service could be sought more often. People and staff told us that the registered manager was often around the home and meetings were held but more opportunities for sharing views would be helpful.

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.

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 inspection was not rated (published 2 February 2021). The last rating for this service was good (published 14 April 2018).

Why we inspected

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.

The inspection was prompted in part by notification of an incident following which a person using the service died. This incident is subject to further investigation by CQC as to whether any regulatory action should be taken. As a result, this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incident. However, the information shared with CQC about the incident indicated potential concerns about the management of risk of people’s safety and incidents. This inspection examined those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well led sections of this full report.

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

Recommendations

We recommend that the management team ensure that staffing levels are amended as needed during times when factors may increase incidents between people or when they may become more unsettled causing them to fall. For example, when people may be suffering from an infection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.