Whitebourne

Updated 24 February 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 1 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 24 February 2022

The inspection took place on 07 March 2018 and was unannounced. Our last inspection was in April 2017 where we identified seven breaches of the legal requirements. These related to risk management, safeguarding, staffing, dignity and respect, person-centred care, governance and notifying CQC of important events. At this inspection, we found that the provider had taken action to meet the requirements of the regulations in these areas. There was a new registered manager in post and they had implemented improvements to staffing, risk management and care planning. We noted they were finding innovative ways to involve people in the running of the service, as well as improving levels of support and communication for staff.

This service has been in Special Measures. Services that are in Special Measures are kept under review and inspected again within six months. We expect services to make significant improvements within this timeframe. During this inspection the service demonstrated to us that improvements have been made and is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is now out of Special Measures.

Whitebourne is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Whitebourne accommodates up to 66 people in one purpose built building. Care is provided across two floors, each with their own communal areas. The service specialises in providing care to older people who are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection, there were 45 people living at the home.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Risks were managed safely, in line with people’s needs. Detailed plans were drawn up to manage individual risks and staff were knowledgeable about them. Where incidents, such as falls, had occurred, staff took action to ensure people’s safety. Staff understood their roles in safeguarding people from abuse and where necessary had raised concerns appropriately. The provider worked alongside the safeguarding team where necessary and had been notifying CQC of important events.

People’s care was planned in a person-centred way. People were given regular opportunities to express wishes or preferences and these were responded to by staff. People’s care was planned in a way that reflected their needs and was regularly reviewed. Staff knew people well and routinely involved them in their care. People received care promptly and in a dignified manner. Staff were respectful of people’s privacy, as well as finding ways to encourage people to maintain independence. Staff sought people’s consent and where appropriate, applied the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff felt supported by management. The registered manager delegated tasks appropriately which had caused a significant improvement in staff support and communication. Improvements were being identified and implemented as planned and these involved people, relatives and staff. The provider had improved the communication systems in place and was finding ways to reward staff for good practice. The provider had developed important links with the local community that had led to improvements in activities and staff training. Staff had received training to enable them to be confident in their roles and they received regular one to one supervision meetings with their line managers.

People’s medicines were managed and administered safely. Staff followed best practice in administering medicines and the provider had systems in place to regularly audit this area. People were supported to access healthcare professionals when required. The home was clean and regular checks were undertaken to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. The environment was suited to people’s needs and work was underway to further improve the decoration of the home. There was a range of activities available to people and people had choices with regards to food. People’s individual dietary needs were met.

There were sufficient numbers of staff at the home and all staff had undergone appropriate checks to ensure that they were suitable for their roles. The provider carried out regular checks and audits to identify any improvements that were necessary at the home. There was a complaints policy in place and this showed complaints had been investigated and responded to.