Whitgift House

Updated 3 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has 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 18 January 2022 and was announced We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 3 February 2022

Whitgift House provides accommodation with nursing and personal care for up to 36 older people. Accommodation is provided over two floors with two modern lifts enabling access around the building. There were two communal lounges on each floor and a large lounge with a conservatory on the ground floor that was also used to provide day care during the week. The dining room was large and well presented with room for those using the service and those people attending the day centre. The garden was well maintained and easily accessible for people with several seating areas.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Staff knew how to keep people safe and the staff members we spoke with demonstrated a good knowledge of how to recognise abuse and how to report any concerns.

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care while still encouraging people to be independent.

There were systems in place for the safe storage, administration and recording of medicines. Each person's medicine was stored securely and registered nurses administered people’s medicines.

Staff had been recruited safely with appropriate checks on their backgrounds completed. All staff had completed an induction programme and on-going training was provided to ensure skills and knowledge were kept up to date.

All areas of the service were clean and well maintained. Cleaning schedules were in place and staff had access to personal protective equipment when required.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to keep healthy and well. People were supported to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink and risks associated to people’s diet had been identified. People had access to healthcare professionals when they needed to.

Staff supported people in a way which was kind, caring, and respectful. People were encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities.

When people needed end of life care, the service was able to provide care in line with peoples wishes. The service was an accredited Gold Standard Framework (GSF) nursing home.

There were a number of audits and quality assurance systems to help the provider understand the quality of the care and support people received and look at ways to continually improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.