Talbot House Care Home

Updated 30 June 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 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 one inspector 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

Talbot House 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.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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 not a registered manager in post. A new manager had started working in the home two days prior to our inspection.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since our last inspection. We also gathered feedback from the local authority.

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.

During the inspection

During our inspection we spoke with the manager, senior care staff who had been acting as manager and the area manager. We also spoke with nine people living in the home. We looked at the care records for six people. We checked that the care they received matched the information in their records. We looked at records relating to the management of the service, including audits carried out within the home.

After the inspection

We continue to review the information we held about the service, including the action plan the manager sent to us.

Updated 30 June 2022

About the service

Talbot House Care Home is a care home providing personal care for up to 25 people. At the time of our inspection 11 people were living in the home. Since our last inspection the home has changed from a nursing home to a care home. People have access to their own bedroom along with communal spaces including lounges and gardens.

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

People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff did not always support them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service did not support this practice. Although the system in place to monitor the home had improvements, further improvements were needed to ensure they were more robust.

Although we saw there were enough staff available, both people and staff felt they could benefit from some more. Further details were needed to ‘when required’ protocols to ensure staff had all the information needed.

The home was also tired and dated and some areas were in need of refurbishment.

We saw an improving picture in the home and people felt safe living there. Staff had received training since our last inspection and had the skills and knowledge to support people. Individual risks to people were considered and reviewed. There were systems in place to ensure safeguarding concerns were investigated and reported appropriately.

There were procedures in place to manage infection control and staff ensured all personal protective equipment was worn correctly.

People were supported by health professionals when needed and the advice given was followed by the staff in the home. People enjoyed the food and were offered a choice. When needed they were offered support and received a diet in line with their individual needs.

There was evidence that lessons were learned when things went wrong, there were now more audits taking place and the environment was also monitored. An incident and accident analysis had also been introduced to help drive improvements.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 22 December 2021) and there were breaches of regulations.

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found the provider remained in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 19 January 2021. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

The overall rating for the service has changed from inadequate to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Talbot House Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection.

We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.

We have identified breaches in relation to Regulation 11 (Need for consent).

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.