Cranford Grange

Updated 18 April 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

The inspection was carried out by 2 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

Cranford Grange 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. Cranford Grange is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with 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 14 people and 6 relatives of people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 16 members of staff including the registered manager, care staff, nurses, housekeeping, and maintenance staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 18 April 2023

About the service

Cranford Grange is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 90 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 108 people.

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

Most people and their relatives were positive about the care and support provided at Cranford Grange. During the inspection we saw sufficient staff on duty, however, feedback varied in relation to staffing levels. People told us, at times they were kept waiting for assistance. We have made a recommendation to the provider about this. Several new staff had been recruited, and staff were recruited safely. Overall, people felt safe and appropriate systems were in place to protect people from avoidable harm and abuse. Medicines were safely managed.

Staff managed the safety of the environment and equipment through checks and actions to minimise risk. The home was clean and infection prevention and control measures were in place.

People were supported by staff who received appropriate training and supervision. Systems were in place to ensure staff understood people’s dietary needs, including those requiring specialist or modified diets. Work had been undertaken to seek people’s feedback about the food and dining experience and changes had been made in response. The service worked in collaboration with other health and social care professionals to ensure people's health and social care needs were met.

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. There were various areas in the large building where people could socialise including the dining room and bistro area. The provider had a planned refurbishment programme in progress.

Staff were kind and caring, however in one example a person was not treated in line with the provider’s values, the registered manager addressed this straight away. Feedback indicated staff respected people’s dignity and privacy. People were supported to take part in decisions about their care and the running of the service. 2 people living at the home had the role of resident ambassador.

Overall, people told us they received the support they needed, and staff understood their needs and preferences. Staff had access to people’s electronic care plans, which contained person-centred information about their needs and were mostly kept up to date. The management team planned to focus more effectively on including relatives where appropriate within care planning and review meetings. People were supported to take part in numerous activities, entertainment and were able to maintain relationships with those important to them. There was an activities team, who involved people in the organisation of activities.

The provider had effective governance systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Any issues identified within the inspection had in the main already been identified through the provider’s own oversight. The service worked in partnership with others. The provider and management team look action to learn lessons from complaints and were focused on making continual improvements.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 10 December 2021, and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 6 February 2018.

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.

Recommendations

We have made recommendations about staffing levels.

Follow up

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