Deepdale Neurological Centre

Updated 14 April 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

This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Deepdale Neurological Centre 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. Deepdale Neurological Centre 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

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

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. 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 carried out an inspection of the home to ensure it was safe and suitable to meet people's needs. We also observed the delivery of care and support at various times throughout the day. We spoke with 2 people who lived at the home, the registered manager, the regional quality director, the team leader and 3 members of care staff.

We looked at records in relation to people who used the service including 2 care plans, medication records and systems for monitoring the safety and quality of the service provided. We looked at staff training and quality assurance records.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with a relative on the telephone to help us understand their experience of the care and support their loved one received. We also received written feedback from a visiting professional.

Updated 14 April 2023

About the service

Deepdale Neurological Centre is a specialist care home which provides care and accommodation for up to 8 people who may have a brain injury, other neurological conditions and/or physical and mental health needs. At the time of inspection 6 people lived at the home, however 1 person was in hospital at the time of our inspection.

At the last inspection we found the safety and quality of people’s care was compromised. The registered manager had implemented an action plan to address the breaches of regulation and recommendations found at the last inspection and had made improvements to all aspects of the service.

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

People living at Deepdale Neurological Centre benefited from a service that was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

Regular health and safety checks were carried out to ensure the home was a safe environment for people to live in. Risks to people were identified, managed and mitigated by staff to lessen the risk of harm to people. People received their medications as prescribed and by staff who were trained and competent.

Staff recruitment processes ensured staff were safe to work with people. In addition to mandatory training, staff received more specialised training to help deliver care to people which was tailored to their specific health care needs.

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’s accommodation was not unlike a self-contained flat. People told us they felt at home at Deepdale Neurological Centre. We observed staff support and interact with people in a caring and respectful way.

The registered manager was described by staff as being helpful and approachable. The manager helped instil a positive culture which was committed to delivering high-quality and individualised care to people. Staff also understood, shared and practiced this ethos and values.

The service worked in collaboration and partnership with other relevant organisations to help achieve better and more positive outcomes for people.

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 requires improvement (report published 5 November 2019). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 1 and 2 October 2019. Breaches of legal requirement were found in relation to safe care and treatment, staffing and good governance. We also made recommendations in relation to infection prevention and control, mental capacity, record keeping, end of life care and quality assurance. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

We undertook this inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements.

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 overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

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

Follow up

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