This unannounced inspection took place 01 November 2017. Woodlands Residential Care 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 home is registered to accommodate and provide care and support for up to 34 people. At the time of our inspection, there were 23 people living in the home. The accommodation is in a mansion style, older property, with large rooms and areas, over four floors, including a lower ground floor where the kitchen, a lounge and dining room were situated. People’s bedrooms and a further lounge, were in the three floors above. The office and reception area was on the ground floor. On the top floor was an administrative office. The home is surrounded by its own grounds and was close to local amenities and transport links.
The home required a registered manager and one had been in post for several years. 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.
At this inspection, we found that there were breaches of regulations 12 (safe care and treatment)
and 17 (good governance). This was because we found the kitchen in a dirty state, with foodstuffs inappropriately stored and records inadequately completed. The management processes had not identified these concerns.
At our last inspection we had commented that there were insufficient staff available to meet people’s needs. At this inspection, we observed that there appeared to be enough staff to meet the needs of the people living in Woodlands
We looked at records relating to the safety of the premises and its equipment, which were mostly, correctly recorded.
People received sufficient quantities of food and drink and had a choice in the meals that they received. Where people had lost weight this was recognised with appropriate action taken to meet the person’s nutritional needs. Menus were varied and alternatives were always provided for anyone who didn’t want to have the meal on the menu for that day. People we spoke with said they always had plenty to eat. We observed the lunch time meal where staff were observed to support people to eat and drink with dignity.
The provider had complied with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and its associated codes of practice in the delivery of care. We found that the staff had followed the requirements and principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).
We found that the care plans and risk assessment monthly review records were all up to date in the files looked at and there was updated information that reflected the changes of people’s health
People told us they felt safe with staff and this was confirmed by people’s relatives who we spoke with. The registered manager had a good understanding of safeguarding. The registered manager had responded appropriately to allegations of abuse and had ensured reporting to the local authority and the CQC as required.
Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored to ensure that appropriate action was taken to prevent further incidences. Staff knew what to do if any difficulties arose whilst supporting somebody, or if an accident happened.
People were able to see their friends and families when they wanted. Visitors were seen to be welcomed by all staff throughout the inspection.
Records we looked at showed that the required safety checks for gas, electric and fire safety were carried out.
You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.