Woodlands Ridge Nursing Home

Updated 27 February 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014. We also checked to make sure the provider had made improvements we asked them to make following our previous inspection in August 2016.

The inspection was carried out on 10 and 12 January 2018 by a lead inspector, a bank inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is someone who has personal experience of using, or caring for a person who uses this type of service. The inspection was unannounced.

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications. Notifications are events that happen in the home which the provider is required to tell us about law. We reviewed the information the registered provider sent to us in the Provider Information Return.(PIR) A PIR is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help us decide what areas to focus on during our inspection.

We spoke with five people who lived at the home. We also spoke with three relatives who were visiting. We observed people being supported during both days of the inspection to help us understand their experiences. We spoke with three members of care staff, two registered nurses, the quality manager and the registered manager. We also spoke briefly with the deputy manager. Following the inspection we spoke with three health professionals by telephone.

We looked at three people’s care records and pathway tracked their care. Pathway tracking enables us to follow people’s care and to check they had received all the care and support they required. We looked at records related to the running of the home, including incident and accident records, complaints, medicines records, six staff recruitment, training and appraisal records and systems for monitoring the quality of the service provided.

The service was last inspected in September 2016 when we found one breach of regulation.

Updated 27 February 2018

Woodlands Ridge Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation, nursing and/or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The home provides accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 24 older people some of whom were living with physical health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people living at the home. The accommodation is split over two floors with a staircase and lift to the first floor bedrooms and bathrooms. There is a large lounge and separate dining room on the ground floor. The home was undergoing a planned refurbishment and re-decoration. There are extensive, private grounds providing outdoor seating and eating areas for people to use.

At our inspection in September 2016 we found the provider was in breach of Regulation 9; person centred care. The provider had not always ensured people were supported in a way that met their individual needs and wishes. We asked the provider to tell us how they were going to make the improvements required. We received their action plan outlining the actions they intended to take. These actions have now been completed and the Regulation has been met.

The inspection was unannounced and was carried out on 10 January 2018 by a lead inspector, a bank inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is someone who has experience of using, or caring for someone who uses this type of service. The lead inspector returned on 12 January 2018 to complete the inspection.

There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. 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 home is run.

Sufficient staff were deployed to keep people safe and meet their needs. Recruitment procedures were safe and ensured only suitable staff were employed.

People were protected from abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training, knew how to identify abuse and how to report any concerns. People, their relatives, staff and healthcare professionals told us they thought people were safe.

People’s medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines from staff who were regularly checked for their competency to do so.

Risks relating to people’s health and welfare had been identified and assessed and action had been taken to reduce these. Environmental risks were assessed and maintenance issues were attended to promptly. Emergency plans were in place to deal with unforeseen events such as fire or flood. Plans to manage emergency evacuations were displayed and understood by staff.

People’s rights were protected because staff understood and followed the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Deprivation of liberty safeguards had been submitted to the local authority for authorisation when required.

Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisal which included observed practice. This ensured they had the skills and competencies necessary to support people effectively.

People had a choice of nutritious food and drink that met their specific dietary needs and preferences. Staff provided assistance to people to eat in a calm and unhurried manner.

People were supported to maintain their health and well-being and had access to a range of health care services, such as GPs, opticians and chiropodists, when required.

Staff knew people and their relatives well. People were encouraged to maintain family relationships and visitors were made welcome at any time. Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect.

Care plans included details of people’s life histories and personal preferences about how they would like to receive their care. People and their relatives were involved in planning their care.

People were encouraged to take part in a range of activities which included entertainment, quizzes and games. People’s cultural and religious needs were provided for.

The provider was working towards meeting the Accessible Information Standard. Staff used a variety of ways to communicate with people such as pictures and objects of reference which helped them to make informed choices.

Systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality and safety of the care provided. There were opportunities for people and relatives to feedback their views about their care.

Complaints procedures were available and displayed throughout the home. People and relatives knew who to speak to if they had a complaint.

There was a positive, supportive and open culture within the home. Staff felt supported and involved in the development of the service. The registered manager understood their responsibilities to report incidents and events to the commission.