Thomas Colledge House Care Home

Updated 19 October 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

This inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Thomas Colledge House Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Thomas Colledge House Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

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 professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who use the service and 7 relatives about the care. We spoke with 2 professionals who work with the service. We spoke with 11 staff, including the registered manager (unit manager), service manager, deputy unit manager, business services assistant, senior care workers, care workers, domestic assistants and catering staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people's care records, multiple medicine administration records, staff recruitment files and records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

Updated 19 October 2023

About the service

Thomas Colledge House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 24 people. The service provides support to older people, people with dementia, those with a mental health diagnosis, people with a physical disability and/or sensory impairment and younger adults. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people using the service. The care home accommodates people in one building on one floor. There are separate wings, each with bedrooms, communal dining rooms and lounges. People have access to a secure outdoor space.

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

People felt safe using the service. Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and understood by staff. Risk assessments were in place, so people were kept safe. Restrictions to people were minimised and people were safely supported to be involved in managing their risks. There were enough staff to keep people safe and staffing numbers were reviewed regularly against the level of support people required. People’s requests for support were answered quickly. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed from trained staff. The home was clean, and staff followed best infection prevention and control practice. Lessons were learned when things went wrong.

Assessments of people’s needs and preferences were comprehensive and informed by people themselves. Staff had received sufficient training, and their competence regularly assessed to ensure they remained skilled and confident to carry out their roles. Nutrition and hydration risks were assessed, and people were supported to eat and drink enough. People achieved good outcomes in relation to their health and well-being and staff worked well together, and with other relevant healthcare professionals to meet their healthcare needs. The environment was accessible and specialist equipment was available for those that required it.

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

Staff treated people with kindness and knew the people they supported well. Equality, diversity and human rights needs were understood by staff, so people were protected from the risk of discrimination. The service promoted independence wherever possible.

Person centred support plans were created with people and those important to them. A complaints policy was in place and people felt comfortable to raise any issues with the service.

The service was well-led. A robust quality assurance system was in place to provide effective oversight of the service. Actions for improvement were quickly identified and addressed. There was a commitment to continuous learning which was informed by governance systems and people’s feedback. There were various opportunities for people to be involved which meant everyone could have a voice in the running of the service. The service worked in collaboration with a range of external stakeholders to support people to achieve good outcomes.

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 good (published 7 December 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection due to the age of the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.