Nettlestead Care Home

Updated 12 August 2023

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

This service was inspected 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.

Service and service type

Nettlestead 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 the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

The service was required to have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included details about incidents the provider must tell us about, such as any safeguarding alerts that had been raised. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We sought feedback from commissioners and the local authority safeguarding team. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 3 members of care staff, the registered manager, and the operations manager. We carried out observations of care provided in the communal areas. We reviewed a range of records. This included 7 people’s care records, 7 staff files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

Updated 12 August 2023

About the service

Nettlestead care home, is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 20 older people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection there were 20 people using the service.

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

People told us they felt safe. Staff understood the types of abuse that could occur and the action to take if they had any concerns. Risks to people were assessed, identified, and safely managed. The home had a system in place to record accidents and incidents and acted on them in a timely manner. Medicines were stored, administered, managed safely and accurate records were maintained. There were enough staff deployed to meet people's needs in a timely manner and the provider followed safe recruitment practices. People were protected from risk of infection as staff followed practices that reduced the risk of infection.

Staff were supported through regular training and supervisions so that they were effectively able to carry out their roles. People's needs were assessed prior to moving into the home to ensure their needs could be met. The registered manager and staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff told us they asked for people's consent before offering support. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and had access to healthcare professionals when required to maintain good health.

People told us staff were caring, considerate and respected their privacy, dignity, and independence. They said staff involved them in making decisions about their daily care and support requirements.

People's care plans were reflective of their individual care needs and preferences and care plans were reviewed on a regular basis. A variety of activities were on offer and available for people to enjoy and take part in. People were aware of the home's complaints procedures and knew how to raise a complaint. People's cultural needs and religious beliefs were recorded, and they were supported to meet their individual needs. Where appropriate people had their end-of-life care wishes recorded in care plans.

The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Regular staff and residents' meetings were held, and feedback was also sought from people about the service. Staff were complimentary about the registered manager and the home. The provider worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to ensure people's needs were planned and met.

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 good (published 25 May 2019).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

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