Tall Trees

Updated 10 September 2019

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

Two inspectors and an assistant inspector conducted the inspection.

Service and service type

Tall Trees 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.

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 and took place on 6 and 7 June 2019

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, clinical lead, care workers and the chef.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. 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 provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 10 September 2019

About the service

Tall Trees is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 34 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 44 people.

Tall Trees accommodates 34 people across 2 separate wings, each of which has separate adapted facilities. One of the wings specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

¿ People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

¿ Staff had a good knowledge of how to keep people safe from harm.

¿ People were supported to take their medicines in a safe way and staff knew when to administer ‘as and when required’ medicines to people.

¿ Staff were recruited safely, and appropriate checks were carried out before they started work at the service.

¿ Where errors occurred, lessons were learned, action was taken and embedded into the service to prevent re-occurrence.

¿ The registered manager ensured that staff received appropriate training based on people’s individual needs.

¿Staff had a good understanding of key pieces of legislation and when they should be applied.

¿ Quality assurance processes were in place to ensure the safety of the service and these supported the safe running of the service.

¿ People received care and support based on their individual assessment, needs and preferences.

¿ People were supported by staff who understood the need to ensure person centred care and to respect and listen to people.

¿ People told us they felt well cared for by staff who treated them with respect and dignity and encouraged to keep their independence for as long as possible.

¿ Systems were in place for people to raise complaints and concerns. Where complaints were raised, action was taken and fed back to people.

¿ There was a strong emphasis on continually striving to improve the service. Management recognised, promoted and regularly implemented innovative systems to provide a high-quality service.

¿ People and staff spoke extremely positively about working for the registered manager. They felt well supported by them and could talk to management at any time.

¿ The service worked in partnership with other organisations to make sure they were following current practice and providing a high-quality service.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (report published 06 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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk