Background to this inspection
Updated
2 October 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.
This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. 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.
This inspection took place on 27 August 2020 and was announced. 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.
Updated
2 October 2020
About the service: The Knells is a residential care home that provides personal care for up to 24 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. There were 23 people living there at the time of this inspection.
People’s experience of using this service: People said they were very happy at this home and had many positive comments about the “kind, helpful staff” team. They said it was a “lovely, lovely home” and “nothing could be better”. Relatives said the home was incomparable to other services and described the staff as “wonderful” and “caring”.
People said they felt safe at the home. There were enough staff to support them whenever they needed it. People said staff responded very quickly when they requested assistance.
The home was clean, warm and comfortable. Staff knew how to protect people from avoidable harm. People at risk of falls or poor health were provided with the assistance and equipment they needed. People’s medicines were managed safely.
Before people moved to the home their needs were assessed to make sure the home could provide the right care. Staff said they had good training and support to care for people in the right way. Staff worked well with other health agencies and people were supported to access health services.
Staff cared for people effectively and responded quickly to any changes in people’s well-being. People said the meals were very good. Staff encouraged people to eat and drink enough and they had lots of choices about their meals.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff assisted them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People said there were always interesting activities to take part in and the chance to go out into their local community. There was a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in the home and warm engagement between people and staff.
People said the home was well-managed. They were asked for their views at meetings and said suggestions were always listened to. Staff said the management team were open, approachable and supportive.
The provider carried out checks to ensure the quality and safety of the service. They were committed to continuous improvements of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good (report published in November 2016).
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.