Cambridge House Care Home

Updated 1 July 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 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 one inspector, an observer and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Cambridge House 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. Cambridge House 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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. 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 May 2022 and ended on 9 June 2022. We visited the location’s service on 26 May 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about 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 eight people and two relatives of people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the provider, registered manager, senior care workers, care workers and the cook. We spoke with two healthcare professionals who regularly visit or have contact with the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.

Updated 1 July 2022

About the service

Cambridge House is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 15 people. The service provides support to older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.

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

Improvements were required to ensure the provider’s systems for quality monitoring was working in accordance with government and best practice guidance.

People told us they felt safe and were able to speak with staff or the registered manager if they were worried about anything. Staff received safeguarding training and demonstrated their understanding on the prevention and reporting of abuse. People received their medicines safely by staff who were trained and competent to administer them. Staff practiced good infection control to protect people from the COVID-19 pandemic. Risks to people’s health and the environment were assessed and managed safely.

People and their relatives were involved in the planning and reviews of their care. People were asked for their opinion of the service and had choices in support they received. One person told us, “I like to get up by eight at the latest.” They confirmed their wishes were respected.

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. When people declined support, staff respected their decisions but provided gentle encouragement. One staff member said, “If someone declines care, we tend to leave them for a while and go back to see if we can help, we explain to them when helping during personal care and encourage people to do as much as they can for themselves.”

People and their relatives gave positive feedback about the staff and the services provided. One person told us, “The staff talk to us. You feel you know them.” A relative said, “Cambridge House has been brilliant. You couldn’t wish for anything better.”

People lived in an environment which supported their needs. Dementia friendly signage was in place to support people’s orientation of the building. People had access to activities and music suited to their tastes.

People were appropriately referred where health and social care professional advice was needed. The registered manager and staff worked closely with professionals to improve people’s care, safety and well-being. One healthcare professional told us, “They are a lovely home and the staff moved in at the beginning of the pandemic, they were on a rota basis, this was pretty amazing for staff to have done this. They seem very caring and put the residents first.”

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Why we inspected

This is the first inspection for this newly registered service.

Enforcement & Recommendations

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 and will take further action if needed.

We have made a recommendation about quality assurance processes.

Follow up

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