Updated 7 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 others.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by two inspectors 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. The Expert by Experience made telephone calls on the 9 December 2021, off site, to obtain feedback from people who used the service and their relatives.
Service and service type
Sliver Birch Care Home 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 premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager in post who at the time of the inspection had applied to be registered with CQC. By publication of this report the manager had become registered with CQC. Registered managers 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.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed our systems and information we held about the service. 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.
During the inspection-
We spoke with nine people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the manager, provider’s nominated individual, two nurses, two care staff, a housekeeper, an administrator and the head of maintenance. We reviewed a range of records which included risk assessments and care records for five people, medication records for six people and three staff files. We also viewed complaints, accident and incident records and management monitoring and oversight records.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received electronic feedback via email from three members of staff and the local commissioning team who work closely with the service.