Darnall Grange

Updated 3 February 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 20 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 3 February 2022

This inspection took place on 11 October 2018 and was unannounced. This means no-one connected to the home knew we were visiting that day.

When we completed our previous inspection in September 2017 we found the system used to monitor how the home operated was not always effective in highlighting areas needing attention, especially around records. We also highlighted shortfalls in the documentation of end of life care. At that time this topic area was included under the key question of ‘Caring.’ We reviewed and refined our assessment framework and published the new assessment framework in October 2017. Under the new framework this topic area is now included under the key question of ‘Responsive.’ Therefore, for this inspection, we have inspected this key question and also the previous key question of ‘Caring’ to make sure all areas are inspected to validate the ratings.

In September 2017 we judged the overall rating of the service to be 'Requires Improvement’ and asked the registered provider to submit an action plan outlining how they were going to address the shortfalls we found, which they did. Due to our concerns we also imposed conditions onto the provider's registration. These required them to submit evidence to us monthly on the areas of concern. The provider complied with all our requirements, and this helped evidence they were meeting the Regulations.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for ‘Darnall Grange’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the breach of Regulation found at the last inspection had been addressed. A more robust system had been implemented to assess if the home was operating as planned. This meant areas needing improvement had been identified and action taken in a timely manner to address them. We also found care plans and risk assessments provided better information, including about end of life care arrangements, and improvements had been made to medication records.

Darnall Grange 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. Darnall Grange provides accommodation for up to 60 older people who require nursing and/or personal care, including people living with dementia. Accommodation is provided over two floors, accessed by a lift. The home is close to local transport and amenities. At the time of our inspection 47 people were living at the home.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

Care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured people were safe. People were protected, as any risks associated with their care were identified and appropriately managed. Systems were also in place to safeguard people from abuse.

The recruitment policy had been reviewed and amended to make sure essential checks were made on potential staff's suitability to work with vulnerable people. Staff were trained and supported to develop their skills and provide people with the standard of care they required.

There was enough staff employed to meet the needs of the people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

Medication was managed safely and administered by staff who had completed appropriate training.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received a varied and healthy diet that offered choice and met their needs.

Staff supported people in a compassionate, caring, responsive and friendly manner. They encouraged them to be as independent as possible, while taking into consideration their abilities and any risks associated with their care. All the people we spoke with made positive comments about how staff delivered care and said they were happy with the way the home was managed.

People’s needs had been assessed and care plans put in place to highlight where they needed support, and telling staff how each person preferred their care to be delivered. People’s care had been reviewed regularly to make sure plans reflected people’s changing needs.

There was a range of activities and events people were supported to take part in.

People were consulted about how their care was delivered and the way the service operated.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.