Background to this inspection
Updated
16 December 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 20 November 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
16 December 2020
About the service:
Agnes Court is a service registered to provide accommodation and personal or nursing care to adults living with physical disabilities. The service can provide accommodation and care to up to 24 people and was fully occupied at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service:
People told us they were safe at the service. There was sufficient number of safely recruited staff to keep people safe. People had their medicines administered to them in a timely manner, safely and as prescribed. Risks to people’s well-being and individual conditions were recorded and updated as required. The management ensured any lessons learnt were reflected to improve the service and experience for people. Risks surrounding infection control were managed appropriately, the service was clean, airy and bright.
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. Staff were aware of principles of the Mental Capacity Act. People were supported to access health professionals and any advice received was incorporated into people’s care planning process. People were encouraged to maintain good diet and nutrition. People benefitted from the environment that catered for their individual mobility needs. This included spacious bedrooms and wide corridors that allowed people to move freely and safely using their mobility aids.
People continued to receive caring and kind support. The senior team led by example and staff were committed to delivering compassionate care. People complimented about staff and told us they built positive working relationships with the staff. Staff respected people’s privacy, dignity and their individual needs including communication needs. People were supported to be as independent as possible and told us they were in control of how their care was provided.
People received support that met their assessed needs and in line with their care plans. People knew how to raise any concerns and told us any concerns were promptly addressed. No people received end of life support at the time of our inspection, people’s end of life wishes where appropriate had been recorded.
The service was managed by an experienced interim manager who planned to continue to support the newly appointed manager who was due to commence their employment next month. People and staff complimented the senior team and told us management were accessible and approachable. There was a clear staffing structure, staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities and had opportunities to develop in their roles. There were a number of effective quality assurance systems in place and an ongoing service improvement plan that supported continuous development. The service worked well with other partners, organisations and commissioners and the feedback we received from external professionals about Agnes Court was very positive.
Rating at last inspection:
Good (report published 30 July 2016).
Why we inspected:
This was our scheduled, planned inspection based on previous rating.
Follow up:
We will monitor all intelligence received about the service to inform the assessment of the risk profile of the service and to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.
More information is in Detailed Findings below.