Background to this inspection
Updated
23 July 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
The Talbots is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
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 reviewed information we requested from the provider to show the improvements they had made where a breach had been identified at the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with three staff members, the registered manager and the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence we found.
Updated
23 July 2021
About the service
The Talbots is a care home without nursing, providing personal care. The service can support up to 16 people. At the time of the inspection 15 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider and registered manager had improved the governance systems and ensured appropriate risk assessments were in place. These were reviewed regularly or when people’s needs changed.
People felt safe living at The Talbots. Relatives confirmed their family members were kept safe and cared for by competent staff.
Staff received appropriate training and understood how to keep people safe. This included recognising signs of abuse and how to report and escalate concerns when needed. People were cared for by staff who knew them well. People and relatives were happy with the support they received.
Staff received training to administer people’s medicines safely. Systems were in place to safely order, monitor and review medicines. Processes in place ensured people received medicines safely. Staff received competency checks to ensure best practice was followed.
The provider promoted an open culture that was inclusive and supportive of people and staff. The registered manager and staff were clear about their roles. Staff confirmed they felt supported. People were involved with all decisions about their care and support.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Talbots on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 10 May 2019) and there were two breaches of regulations. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 11 January 2019. Two breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve safe care and treatment and good governance.
We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions safe and well-led which contain those requirements.
The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.