Richmond Care

Updated 26 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

Two inspectors undertook this inspection.

Service and service type

Richmond Care 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. This means that they 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

This inspection was announced. We gave a short period notice of the inspection because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Inspection activity started on 20 April 2021 and ended on 26 April 2021. We visited the home on 20 April 2021.

What we did before 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. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, nurse, three support workers, the activity co-ordinator, chef and maintenance staff. We observed staff interacting with people throughout the inspection.

We reviewed a range of records. This included a range of electronic care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance systems, policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at meeting minutes, audits and electrical installation records. We sourced feedback from a healthcare professional who works with the service.

Updated 26 May 2021

About the service

Richmond Care is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 22 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 27 people.

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

Medicines were now being managed safely at this inspection. Practices and processes had improved, assisted by a more consistent nursing team. Risks to people's health, safety and well-being associated with their care needs were assessed and management plans were in place to ensure risks were reduced as much as possible.

People had their care and support needs met by sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff. The care environment was clean and comfortable throughout. Infection control procedures were in place and staff used PPE effectively. Additional cleaning had been introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Electronic care plans and risk assessments provided staff with relevant information so that appropriate care could be provided for people. The service had good working relationships with local GP practices and mental healthcare professionals. The service worked in partnership with people, their families and staff. We received positive feedback from people and staff about the service.

The service had good governance arrangements in place and completed regular internal quality checks. When we identified potential weaknesses in the medication audit a more robust tool was immediately adopted. Findings from audits were reviewed by the registered manager and used to drive improvement within the service.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 3 June 2019). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an announced focused inspection of this service on 20 April 2021. We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions of Safe, Responsive and Well-led which contain those requirements.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

Follow up

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