Cranmer House

Updated 18 October 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Cranmer House 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 our last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who are a commissioner of 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people living in Cranmer House and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior care workers, care workers and the cook. We observed how staff interacted with people.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care and medication records. We looked a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 18 October 2019

About the service

Cranmer House is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 35 people. At the time of the inspection visit, 17 people were living there, ten of whom were on short term respite care. Most rooms on the ground floor were temporarily empty following a programme of refurbishment.

Care is provided at Cranmer House over two floors. Each floor has various communal areas for people to use, with the main dining room being on the ground floor.

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

All the people and relatives we spoke with during our inspection visit told us they were happy with the care and support received at Cranmer House. Staff were well trained, and they treated people with kindness and compassion.

People were treated as individuals and their decisions were respected. They received care that was personalised to their individual needs and preferences. They were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People felt safe living in Cranmer House. Any risks to their safety had been assessed and managed well. Systems were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse and the home and equipment people used was clean. People received their medicines when they needed them.

Staff were quick to identify when people needed support with their health and they worked well with other professionals at this time. People had a choice of what to eat and drink and staff had been trained to ensure the dining experience for people was a pleasant and social one.

Staff had time to provide activities and stimulation to enhance people’s wellbeing and people were supported with their hobbies and interests. People told us they liked their rooms which they could personalise, and the layout of the home provided them with both private and communal areas to reside in.

People had been involved in making decisions about how they wanted to receive their care, and this was respected. People were able to raise concerns to the staff or registered manager freely and without fear. They were listened to and their views respected. The provider acted to ensure people’s lives were as comfortable as possible.

Good leadership was in place. The registered manager was knowledgeable, experienced and well liked by all. They ensured that governance systems were implemented and effective at monitoring and improving the quality of care people received. They along with the deputy manager, had instilled an open, inclusive and empowering culture within the home. This resulted in people, relatives and staff feeling that they were treated as individuals and with respect.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published March 2017).

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