Spring Cottage

Updated 21 April 2021

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 the Care Quality Commissions' (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 1 April 2021 and was announced.

Updated 21 April 2021

About the service

Spring Cottage is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 18 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 22 people. Spring Cottage accommodates 22 people in one adapted building.

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

People were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm by staff who understood how to recognise and respond to concerns. The service ensured all incidents were investigated and reported to the local authority safeguarding team. Systems were in place to promote learning and improvement from any incidents to avoid them reoccurring. People were supported to manage the risks in their daily lives. Positive risk-taking strategies maximised people's opportunities to engage in activities. Staff had been recruited safely and medicines were managed safely.

People's needs had been thoroughly assessed with input from families and professionals. Care plans were detailed. Staff felt the plans provided enough information to understand what support the person needed. Staff had received regular training and supervision to support them to meet people's needs. A comprehensive induction programme ensured new staff had a good understanding of their role and the values of the organisation. People were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing, through access to a range of health services. The service was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act. 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 service promoted people's choices.

People received person-centred care which was responsive to their needs. Care and support plans had been regularly reviewed to reflect any changes in the person’s needs and wishes. People had been referred for further input from professionals when required.

People were encouraged to raise any concerns and complaints. Information about how to do this was available in a variety of formats. We saw the service had responded to concerns fully.

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.

The management team were committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care. They embedded the values of the organisation throughout their practice. Staff spoke highly of the management team and the values they set. Roles and responsibilities were clear. Regular audits ensured care was provided effectively and records were accurately maintained. The views of people, their families and staff were actively engaged through meetings and surveys.

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 14 December 2016)

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.