Gracefields Nursing Home

Updated 3 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 28 October 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 3 December 2020

About the service

Gracefields is a care home that provides personal and nursing care for up to 75 people some of whom may have a diagnosis of dementia. The service is provided in accommodation over three floors.

People's experience of using this service

The service was safe and risks to people were managed well. Staff knew how to protect people from harm and had received safeguarding training. There were enough staff employed to help keep people safe and to meet their needs. Recruitment practices were safe and relevant checks were completed before staff started work at the service. There were systems in place to ensure medicines were managed safely. Staff followed the providers infection control policy and procedure to limit the risks of cross infection.

The service was effective in meeting people’s needs. Staff received regular supervision and support. The annual training programme equipped staff with essential skills and knowledge. Arrangements were made for people to see a GP and other healthcare professionals when they needed to do so. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of the support they required. People received a healthy, balanced diet and their preferences were respected.

The service was caring and put people at the heart of everything they did. We were introduced to people throughout our visit and they welcomed us. People appeared relaxed and comfortable in their home. The feedback we received from them and family was positive. Comments included, “The staff are all lovely, I couldn’t wish for a better place to live” and “we could not have wished for nicer people”. Staff had a good awareness of individuals' needs and treated people in a warm and respectful manner. One relative wrote a thank you card to the staff and stated, “Mum felt a warm and caring sense of respect and dignity was given to her, which was important”. Independence was promoted and supported.

A responsive service was provided to meet people’s health and social needs. They received person-centred care and support. Regular monitoring and reviews meant that referrals had been made to appropriate health and social care professionals. The service supported people with end of life care with the support of other community health professionals.

The service was very well led. People received a good standard of care because the management team led by example and had expectations about the standards of care people should receive. One relative recently wrote to the registered manager and stated, “May I take this opportunity to thank you personally for your professionalism which was very special and delivered with care and understanding”. Staff were enthusiastic and happy in their work. They felt supported within their roles. Staff described working together as a team, they provided person-centred care and helped people to achieve their potential. Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and the care people received.

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

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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