Background to this inspection
Updated
1 March 2023
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors.
Service and service type
Sycamore Cottage is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Sycamore Cottage is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. There was an acting manager in post. They told us they intended to apply to become the registered manager.
Notice of inspection
The inspection was unannounced.
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 (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 3 people about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 6 members of staff including the provider, the nominated individual, the acting manager and 3 care staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We observed staff providing care to people. We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people's care records and multiple medicines administration records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and training. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.
Updated
1 March 2023
About the service
Sycamore Cottage is residential care home providing accommodation for people requiring personal or nursing care for up to 14 people. The service provides support to older people and younger adults. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Expected food hygiene standards could not always be met because the kitchen was old and required replacement. The provider had ordered a replacement kitchen and was waiting for dates for delivery and installation.
Safety checks and routine maintenance was carried out to ensure the premises and any equipment were safe to use. The provider was in the process of refurbishing and redecorating the building.
We made a recommendation about protocols for medicines prescribed on an ‘as required' basis. Staff managed people’s medicine in as safe way. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff were recruited in a safe way.
People were safe because staff had training about protecting people from abuse. People had confidence in staff and managers. Risks were assessed and staff knew how to reduce risk and how to provide reassurance if people became distressed.
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.
People and staff were involved and consulted about the day to day running of the service. People had choices and their feedback was used to improve care and support. Care and support was person centred and achieved good outcomes for people. Staff and managers knew people well and understood the things which were important to them.
Checks and audits were carried out and areas for improvement were identified and implemented. The provider and managers had a very hands on approach and were supportive to people and staff.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 10 October 2019).
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
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
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, which will help inform when we next inspect.