Background to this inspection
Updated
26 November 2020
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 conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.
The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.
This inspection took place on 9 November 2020 and was announced.
Updated
26 November 2020
Nicholas Rothwell House provides accommodation with personal care for up to 20 older people. The service provides both respite and long-term care for older people who are mobile but may require support with personal care. The home is situated on the outskirts of Northampton and is a purpose built property with indoor and outdoor communal areas for people to use. There were 19 people in residence when we inspected, including five people accommodated on a short stay respite care basis ranging between one and six weeks duration.
At the last inspection on 23 and 28 September 2015, the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service remained ‘Good’.
A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
People were safe. Their needs had been assessed prior to admission and they each had an agreed care plan that was regularly reviewed to ensure they continued to receive the care and support they needed. There were sufficient numbers of experienced and trained staff to safely meet people’s assessed needs. People were protected by robust recruitment procedures from receiving unsafe care from staff that were unsuited to the job. They were safeguarded from abuse and poor practice by staff that knew what action they needed to take if they suspected this was happening.
People received care and support from staff that knew what was expected of them and they carried out their duties effectively and with compassion. People were treated equally and shown respect as individuals with a range of needs that came together from diverse backgrounds. Care plans were personalised and reflected each person’s individual needs and provided staff with the information and guidance they needed to manage risk and keep people safe. Risks to people’s safety were reviewed as their needs and dependencies changed.
People were encouraged and enabled to do things for themselves by friendly staff that were responsive and attentive. Their individual preferences for the way they liked to receive their care and support were respected. Staff had insight into people’s capabilities and aspirations. People’s capacity to make informed choices had been assessed and the provider and staff were aware of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the importance of seeking people’s consent when receiving care and support.
People who needed encouragement and support with eating a healthy diet received the help they required. They had enough to eat and drink.
People had access to community healthcare professionals and received timely medical attention when this was needed. There were appropriate arrangements in place for people to have regular healthcare check-ups.
Medicines were appropriately and safely managed and staff had received the training they needed in the safe administration of medicines. Medicines were securely stored and there were suitable arrangements in place for their timely administration.
People, and where appropriate, their family or other representatives were assured that if they were unhappy with the care provided they would be listened to and that appropriate action would be taken to resolve matters.