We carried out a review of the data available to us about Denmead Grange Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Denmead Grange Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Denmead Grange is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 60 people. The service provides support to adults some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 51 people using the service. People are accommodated in one adapted building across two floors. One floor, memory lane, specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives told us the staff provided safe care. Safeguarding concerns were recognised and reported and staff understood their responsibility to protect people from abuse. Risks to people were assessed and plans were in place to minimise the harm to people from risks such as falls, skin injuries, poor nutrition, and behaviours of concern. The registered manager acted promptly to address some incomplete guidance and monitoring records. Environmental risks were well managed.
Staffing levels were based on people’s assessed needs. We received some feedback from people and relatives about not enough staff being always available. No one told us their needs were not met. We discussed this with the registered manager who will investigate this further. Staff were safely recruited. The registered manager acted to address some concerns we found with the management of people’s medicines. People received their medicines safely. People were protected to minimise the spread of infection. Incidents and accidents were investigated and analysed to help prevent a re-occurrence. Improvements had been made in the number of accidents from falls because actions from this analysis had been carried out.
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 needs were assessed, and staff completed an induction and ongoing training to support them to meet people’s needs. People spoke positively about the food provided and we saw this looked appetising and nutritious. People’s dietary needs and preferences were met. People were supported to meet their healthcare needs and a healthcare professional confirmed staff followed guidance to support people’s health outcomes. The environment was of a high standard and laid out in such a way as to promote people’s independence. People’s accommodation was personalised, and the environment had been adapted to support the needs of people living with dementia.
We received some positive feedback about the care and kindness of staff along with other feedback that staff did not have enough time to spend with people leaving them feeling staff didn’t care as much. We observed kind and caring interactions between staff and people and staff spoke knowledgeably about the people they supported. The registered manager has increased staff available for 1-to-1 time with people. People’s diverse needs and interests were supported by the service.
People were supported to make decisions about their care and care was planned in a person-centred way. The service was in the process of updating and reviewing people’s care plans, but people’s current needs were known by staff. There was a varied, stimulating, and meaningful programme of activities. These were based on people’s interests and wishes delivered by an internal activities team and external entertainers.
Positive feedback had been received about the care and compassion shown to people and relatives by staff caring for people at the end of their life. Care plans were being further developed to support this approach.
The registered manager promoted a positive culture which was confirmed by staff, people, and relatives. There was a leadership team in place with clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Regulatory responsibilities were met, and the provider had a quality assurance system in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service people received.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us on 13 March 2020, and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
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.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
We found the following examples of good practice.
Staff donned, doffed and disposed of personal protective equipment (PPE) safely and in line with the relevant guidance. Throughout our inspection staff were wearing the required levels of PPE and maintaining social distancing as much as possible.
Visiting was suspended at the time of this inspection due to an outbreak of Covid 19 but a designated room with appropriate infection prevention and control measures had been set up enabling safe visiting. Relatives were also supported to safely visit their loved ones in exceptional circumstances, such as when people were receiving end of life care.
Processes in place for any visitors were clear, and included a temperature check, hand sanitizing station, and appropriate PPE for use.
Regular testing was completed for staff and people living at the home. This meant prompt action could be taken should anyone test positive for COVID-19.
Processes were in place to ensure when the home resumed admissions, they were admitted safely and self-isolated for 14 days, in accordance with national guidance.
Staff had training and support to understand the fundamentals of infection control and Covid 19. There was a contingency plan for the service during an outbreak.
The home was clean and hygienic. Robust cleaning measure were put into place. For example, they had measures in place to make sure high touch areas maintain a high level of cleanliness.
The provider had developed policies, procedures and guidance for the home which had been implemented. Quality assurance audits were being completed during the COVID-19 pandemic to reflect best practice. Staff knew how to immediately instigate full infection control measures to care for a person with symptoms to avoid the virus spreading to other people and staff members. A root cause analysis was been carried out at the home to look into the outbreak of Covid in the home.