Rowanweald Residential and Nursing Home

Updated 13 April 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 17 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 13 April 2022

We undertook this unannounced inspection on 11 & 13 December 2018. Rowanweald Residential and Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission [CQC] regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Rowanweald Residential and Nursing Home is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for a maximum of 75 older people some of whom may have dementia, mental health needs, physical disability or sensory impairment. The home is a detached house located close to transport and shops. Accommodation is provided on the ground floor, first floor and second floor of the building. The home is divided into five units called Arden, Magnolia, Oak, Pelenna and Rheola. People with nursing needs were accommodated on the second floor.

The last comprehensive inspection we carried out in October 2017 found a breach of Regulation 18 HSCA RA Regulations 2014 Staffing. The service did not have adequate staffing levels and adequate deployment of staff. This placed people’s welfare and safety at risk. During this inspection in December 2018, we found that the service had taken action to comply with the requirement and the care needs of people had been attended to. The staffing system had built-in safeguards to ensure that the staffing levels were adequate.

Our last comprehensive inspection of 2017 also found a breach of Regulation 9 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 Person centred care. During this inspection in December 2018, we found that the service had taken action to comply with the requirement. The service had ensured that care provided was person centred and met the needs of people. Feedback from people and relatives indicated that improvements had been made and the care needs of people had been attended to.

At the last comprehensive inspection we found that the service did not have sufficiently effective quality assurance systems for fully assessing, monitoring and promptly improving the quality of care provided for people. We recommended that the service regularly audit progress and action taken to ensure that deficiencies are promptly identified and rectified. During this inspection in December 2018, we found that the service had taken action to address the deficiencies identified. The service had a system of checks to ensure people received the care they needed. Regular audits had been carried out since the last inspection. Following these audits, the service had taken action to improve areas identified.

The service had also been subject to inspections by the local authority’s commissioning and quality monitoring department. They reported that improvements had been made in the running of the home. This was also reiterated by people and relatives we spoke with. Further effort had been made to engage with relatives and people's representatives by moving the manager's office to a room next to the front entrance of the home. This was aimed at improving communication with people and their visitors.

People who used the service and their representatives informed us that people had been treated with respect and dignity. The service had arrangements to protect people from harm and abuse. Care workers were knowledgeable regarding types of abuse and were aware of the procedure to follow when reporting abuse.

Risks assessments had been carried out and risk management plans were in place to ensure the safety of people. The service followed safe recruitment practices and sufficient staff were deployed to ensure people’s needs were met. There were suitable arrangements for the administration of medicines and medicines administration record charts (MAR) had been properly completed.

There was a record of essential maintenance and inspections by specialist contractors. Fire safety arrangements were in place. These included weekly alarm checks, a fire risk assessment, drills and training. Personal emergency and evacuation plans (PEEPs) were prepared for people to ensure their safety in an emergency.

The home had an infection control policy and all areas of the home we visited had been kept clean.

The service worked well with healthcare professionals and ensured that people’s healthcare needs were met. The dietary needs of people had been assessed and arrangements were in place to ensure that people received adequate nutrition.

We noted that the home had suitable arrangements in place to comply with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS.

Care workers had received a comprehensive induction and training programme. There were arrangements for staff support, supervision and appraisals.

Care workers prepared appropriate and up to date care plans which involved people and their representatives. The service had made effort to engage people in various social and therapeutic activities within the home and in the local community.

There were opportunities for people to express their views and experiences regarding the care and management of the home. The service had a policy on ensuring equality and valuing diversity and protecting the human rights of people. There were arrangements to ensure that people’s religious and cultural needs were met. People were supported with their religious and cultural observances.

Complaints made had been recorded and promptly responded to. A satisfaction survey and been carried out and the results indicated that people were mostly satisfied with the care provided.