Background to this inspection
Updated
18 January 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 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 was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
Elegance of Kettering 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 did not require manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This provider is also the manager and is 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 inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered provider, nurse and care workers.
On day one of the inspection, due to technical problems with the electronic system which held all documents relating to care plans, risk assessments, audits, quality assurance and recruitment files, we were unable to view records relating to people’s care or the effectiveness and oversight of the service. On day two, the provider was unable to provide us with the records we requested.
After the inspection
The provider did not send to CQC the records requested during the inspection.
We made contact with the fire officer who visited the location to check compliance with the fire safety order.
Updated
18 January 2022
About the service
Elegance of Kettering is a residential care home providing accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 19 older people, or people with dementia. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 15 people in one adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We were unable to view multiple records relating to people’s care and governance. People, their relatives and staff were able to provide us with some assurances, however, we could not be fully assured in most areas because of this.
Actions had not been taken on known fire risks in the building.
Food storage and the cleanliness of kitchen equipment required improving.
Staffing levels were assessed and maintained. People, their relatives and staff told us there was enough staff to support people with their assessed needs.
People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the service. People were supported by staff who were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff interacted well with people and knew individual needs. People told us staff were respectful and promoted their independence.
People told us the food was nice and they had choices of meals offered daily. People were regularly offered drinks. People told us they were supported to access health and medical appointments as required. People received medicines as prescribed by trained staff who followed best practice.
People were supported to stay in contact with their friends and families. Relatives were kept up to date on their loved ones changing needs or any incidents that may have occurred.
The home appeared clean and staff used personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively to reduce to risk of infections.
People, relatives and staff knew who the provider was and felt comfortable raising any concerns, complaints or suggestions. The provider was visible in the service and operated an ‘open door policy’ for anyone who needed to discuss anything. People and their relatives were asked to feedback on the service annually.
Staff felt supported by the provider and received regular supervisions and meeting to discuss the service and to ensure staff had the information required to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.
People told us they 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.
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 inspected not rated (published 20 March 2020)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
The overall rating for the service has changed from inspected not rated to requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
Enforcement
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service.
We have identified two breaches in relation to safety of premises and equipment and good governance at this inspection.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
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.