Amy Woodgate

Updated 16 December 2022

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

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, a specialist advisor and Expert by Experience. The specialist advisor was a nurse. 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

Amy Woodgate is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Amy Woodgate is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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 not a registered manager in post. A new manager had been in post and was planning to submit an application to register.

Notice of inspection

On the first day of inspection the visit was unannounced, and we let the provide know about our second visit.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with us. We used 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with 9 people who used the service and 14 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the associate director of care quality and governance, manager and nine staff members, including unit leads, care assistants, activities coordinator, chef and domestic staff. Where people had limited verbal communication, we observed their interactions with support staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included people's care plans and risk assessments, medicines management procedures and staff files in relation to training and recruitment data. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and policies were also reviewed.

We contacted six healthcare professionals to find out their experiences of working with this provider.

Updated 16 December 2022

About the service

Amy Woodgate House is a care home providing personal care for up to 44 people. At the time of our inspection, there were 29 people using the service. The service supports older people living with dementia and having physical care needs. The home is arranged over 2 floors and divided into three living units each comprising a sitting and dining room with a kitchen.

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

Although pre-employment checks took place before staff started working with people, job interviews were not always carried out making sure the provider checked staff's knowledge and skills before they employed them. We made a recommendation about this.

Transitioning from the previous provider had an impact on the staff team which prompted the service to review staffing levels regularly making sure they met the needs of the people they supported. People received their medicines as prescribed with dedicated trained staff to manage stock control, ordering and safe storage of medicines. Infection control practices reflected current legislation and good practice. People's care records were routinely reviewed making sure it was up to date and relevant.

The home environment was suitable for people's mental and physical needs. The staff team contacted the healthcare professionals for guidance and support when people needed it. People had a choice of what and when to eat their meals. Staff understood their responsibilities and the actions they had to take should a person's capacity was doubted to make an important decision.

People and their family members described staff as compassionate and caring. Staff knew personal information about people and what was important to them which they used to inform their practice. Where people were able to undertake tasks for themselves, staff had encouraged them to do so.

The service responded to people's choices and changing care needs as necessary to support their well-being. There was a wide range of activities facilitated at the home, encouraging people to join in and interact. The staff team used pictures, objects and easy to read documents to support people's communication needs. Systems were in place to address the concerns and complaints received as necessary.

There was a good leadership at the service, with shared responsibilities, to support the service delivery. Any areas of concern identified during the inspection were promptly addressed by the management team to ensure best practice. Lessons learnt were discussed with the staff team. Quality assurance processes were in place identifying actions to drive improvements.

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

Rating at last inspection

This was the first inspection of the service since the new provider took over and registered the service with the CQC on 16 March 2022.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on when the service registered with us.

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.

Follow up

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