• Care Home
  • Care home

The Chesters Care Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

418 Durham Road, Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE9 5AJ (0191) 491 0750

Provided and run by:
Parkside Care Limited

Latest inspection summary

On this page

Background to this inspection

Updated 7 May 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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 undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Chesters 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.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. Registered managers and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was announced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and infection control nurse. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, the administrator, the nominated individual and two people living at the service.

After the inspection

We spoke with seven relatives, five members of staff and three visiting professionals. We also wrote to visiting professionals to seek their feedback, but they did not respond. We reviewed various documents in relation to people’s care. We also sought clarification from the registered manager and nominated individual to validate evidence found.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 7 May 2021

About the service

The Chesters Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of 29 older people on two floors in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection visit there were 25 people using the service, the majority of whom were living with a dementia.

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

People were safe, comfortable and made to feel at home by an experienced and committed staff team.

The registered manager had improved the systems in place to record, analyse and share information relating to potential safeguarding incidents. Staff knowledge and training in this areas was good.

Medicines were managed safely. The registered manager was responsive to any suggested improvements and agreed there was a need to improve the auditing of medicines.

We have made a recommendation about this.

The premises were well maintained and suitable for people’s needs. The provider continually looked for ways to make improvements. These included extending communal spaces and having regard to dementia-friendly best practice guidance.

Staff were well trained, skilled and knowledgeable. They identified people’s changing needs and worked well with external professionals

Activities were varied and vibrant, with all staff playing a part in how people’s person-centred preferences could be met. Community links were strong and helped maintain a range of interesting activities, as well as preventing the risk of social isolation.

People’s religious beliefs were respected and celebrated. There were good links with a local church.

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.

The registered manager and senior staff demonstrated a strong understanding of all core aspects of the service. They worked well with staff and mutual respect was evident. Feedback from relatives and external professionals was consistently positive. The ethos was strongly centred around people’s individualities and needs. This approach was clearly evident in the hands-on and accountable approach of the directors.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 25 March 2019).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.