Tunbridge Wells Care Centre

Updated 15 April 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 16 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 15 April 2021

About the service

Tunbridge Wells Care Centre is a nursing home providing accommodation, personal and nursing care for up to 70 older people, including those living with dementia. Accommodation is located over three floors with a lift available to access each floor. One of the floors specialises in providing care to people living with dementia. At this inspection, there were 63 people living in the service.

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

People and their relatives were positive in their feedback. Comments from people included, “The staff are very attentive, and I have not had any worries about my care or feeling unsafe” and “The staff are all very kind and lovely.” Comments from relatives included, “It’s wonderful here. I have no worries about the care and the staff keep me up to date with any changes” and “I looked at a number of homes and was impressed that it was clean, staff were smiling and everywhere was fresh.”

Observation showed that staff had developed trusting relationships with people where they felt comfortable in staff’s presence and approach them with any concerns they had. Staff knew what their responsibilities were in relation to keeping people safe from harm and potential abuse.

Medicines were stored and administered safely by registered nurses. Staff were trained to meet people’s needs and registered nurses were supported to keep their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Nurses and care staff received continuous support and supervision from the management team.

Staffing levels were based on people’s needs. There were enough care staff and nurses to meet people’s needs, call bells were answered promptly. Staff continued to be recruited safely.

People received support to maintain their health and access health care professionals as required. Daily meetings were held to discuss any changes in people’s needs and referral to relevant health care professionals were promptly made.

People’s care plans were person-centred and informed staff how the person wanted to be supported. 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 supported this practice.

The staff were caring, and knew people, their preferences, likes and dislikes well. Staff encouraged people to maintain their independence using aids to support independence. Staff understood the importance of protecting people privacy whilst promoting their dignity.

People’s, relatives and staff’s feedback was sought and acted on. People were supported to access a range of activities within the service and in the local community.

Staff worked in partnership with the local hospice team to support people to have a dignified death they have chosen.

The management team were committed to improving the quality of the service people received. Audits highlighted any areas for development or improvement, which were acted on quickly.

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 this service was Good (published 3 January 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 re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.