Updated 6 August 2021
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 also looked at the providers infection control arrangements, so we could understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by an inspector, a specialist advisor (SpA) and an Expert by Experience. The SpA is a registered nurse with experience of working with older people living with dementia. Experts by Experience are people who have personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Woodlands House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the CQC. This means that they 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. The inspector and SpA visited the care home in-person and the Expert by Experience made telephone contact with people’s relatives two days later.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed all the information we had received about the care home since the last inspection. 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke in-person with ten people who lived at the care home, and a visiting friend and community tissue viability nurse. We also talked with various managers and staff who worked there including, the services registered manager, deputy manager, regional manager, two nurses, six care workers, including two team leaders, the head of hospitality, and two housekeepers.
We looked at a range of records that included six people’s care plans, multiple staff files in relation to their recruitment, training and supervision, and medication administration record sheets. A variety of other records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also read.
Following the inspection
We received telephone and email feedback about the care home from eight relatives and four community health and social professionals including, three nurses.
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested the provider send us additional evidence after our inspection in relation to specific identified risk management plans.