Sunbury Nursing Homes

Updated 2 April 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 25 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 2 April 2021

Sunbury Nursing home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Sunbury Nursing Home is registered to provide accommodation with nursing care for up to 57 people. At the time of our visit, there were 52 older people living at the home. Some of the people who live at the home are living with dementia, whilst others have complex needs from living with Parkinson’s disease, stroke or epilepsy. The home also provided end of life care.

The inspection took place on 29 June 2018 and was unannounced.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our previous inspection on 27 July, 2 and 3 August 2017, we found breaches of three regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We asked the provider to take action in relation to risk assessments for people, care plans and assessing and monitoring the service. The provider sent us an action plan on 20 March 2018 and provided timescales by which time the regulations would be met.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made. However, we noted inconsistencies about the information recorded in people’s care records. The impact to people was lessened due to the knowledge and experience of the consistent staff team. We have made a recommendation to the registered provider in relation to this.

People were safe at Sunbury Nursing Home. Staff had a good understanding about the signs of abuse and were aware of what to do if they suspected abuse was taking place. There were systems and processes in place to protect people from harm. There were sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff to support people’s needs safely. Recruitment practices were safe and relevant checks had been completed before staff started work.

Medicines were managed safely. Any changes to people’s medicines were prescribed by the person’s GP and medicines administered appropriately.

Fire safety arrangements and risk assessments for the environment were in place to help keep people safe. The home had a business contingency plan which identified how the home would function in the event of an emergency such as fire, adverse weather conditions, flooding or power cuts.

Although we found some concerns around infection control such as dirty commodes and mattresses these were quickly remedied during the inspection. We reviewed the systems in place to prevent and control infection. After the inspection, the provider sent us an amended infection control auditing system to help ensure safe standards of cleanliness were maintained.

Staff worked within best practice guidelines to ensure people’s care and support promoted well-being and independence. We found the staff team were knowledgeable about people’s care needs. People told us they felt supported and staff knew what they were doing.

The registered manager ensured staff had the skills and experience which were necessary to carry out their role. The registered manager ensured that clinical staff abided by the requirements set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The NMC is the nursing and midwifery regulator.

People had enough to eat and drink and there were arrangements in place to identify and support people who were nutritionally at risk. People were supported to have access to healthcare services and were involved in the regular monitoring of their health. Staff worked effectively with healthcare professionals and were pro-active in referring people for assessment or treatment. People’s needs were assessed when they entered the home and on a continuous basis to reflect changes in their needs.

People’s needs were met by the adaptation, design and decoration of the premises. The home was decorated and presented to a good standard.

CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and report on what we find. Staff understood and knew how to apply legislation that supported people to consent to care and support. Information about the home was given to people and consent was obtained prior to any care given. Where people had restrictions placed on them these were done in their best interests using appropriate safeguards. Staff had a clear understanding of DoLS and the MCA as well as their responsibilities in respect of this.

Staff treated people with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect. People’s preferences, likes and dislikes had been taken into consideration and support was provided in accordance with people’s wishes. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and promoted.

People were encouraged to voice their concerns or complaints about the home and there were different ways for their voice to be heard.Suggestions, concerns and complaints were used as an opportunity to learn and improve the home.

People had access to activities that were important and relevant to them. People were protected from social isolation through systems the home had in place. There were a range of activities available within the home and community.

People received comfortable and dignified end of life care. The home obtained guidance and best practice techniques from professional bodies to assist them in providing good quality end of life care.

The provider actively sought, encouraged and supported people’s involvement in the improvement of the home. People’s care and welfare was monitored regularly to ensure their needs were met within a safe environment. The provider had systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of the care provided.

People told us the staff were friendly and management were always approachable. Staff were encouraged to contribute to the improvement of the home. Staff told us they would report any concerns to their manager.

During this inspection, we made one recommendation to the registered provider in relation to care records.