Gower Gardens Residential Care Home

Updated 19 May 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

The inspection was carried out by an inspector, an assistant inspector 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

Gower Gardens Residential 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. Gower Gardens Residential 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 who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 9 people who lived at the home and 6 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 14 staff including the nominated individual, registered manager, operations manager, care staff, domestic staff, maintenance staff and kitchen staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and policies and procedures were reviewed. We also spoke to a health care professional who visited the service.

Updated 19 May 2023

About the service

Gower Gardens Residential Care Home provides personal care for up to 66 people. The service provides support to older people, people with physical disabilities, and people who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 39 people using the service.

The care home accommodates people in one adapted building over three floors. People had access to a lounge and dining area on each floor and a cinema room and garden were also available for people to use.

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

The registered manager knew of their responsibility to notify the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of incidents of concern however, there was a delay in notifying us of two incidents. People, staff and relatives spoke positively about the management team and felt able to raise concerns. The provider had systems in place to have oversight of the quality and safety of the care, although some improvements were required to ensure everyone had an application for a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLs) in place.

People were supported to access healthcare professionals when their needs changed, however some people had not had their annual dental checks. Staff received training and competencies to ensure they were skilled to meet people’s needs. People were offered a choice of food and the environment was warm and welcoming with further refurbishments taking place.

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 mainly supported this practice. There was a delay in applying for one person’s DoLS application.

People and relatives told us care was provided safely. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how to recognise and report any safeguarding concerns. Infection control measures were in place, and staff competencies were completed to ensure they administered medicines safely. The provider had effective recruitment processes in place and accidents and incidents were analysed to improve care and ensure lessons were learned.

People were supported by kind and caring staff. We observed people being treated with dignity and respect and encouraged to maintain their independence. Staff ensured personal information was kept confidential and people were involved in decisions about their care.

Different activities were available for people to get involved with. Care plans contained information about people’s preferences and staff knew people well. Complaints were responded to in a timely way and information about the support people wanted to receive at the end of their life was recorded.

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 the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 30 July 2022).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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, which will help inform when we next inspect.