Background to this inspection
Updated
30 July 2022
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors 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
Saffron Gardens 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. Saffron Gardens is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This 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 used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with 14 members of staff, including the Director of Nursing & Care Services, the clinical lead, registered manager, deputy manager, unit leaders, seniors and care staff. We looked at eight people’s care records and further documentation such as medicines records and daily notes. We spoke with 15 relatives. We received feedback from one healthcare professional who had regular contact with the home.
Updated
30 July 2022
About the service
Saffron Gardens - Prospect Place is a residential care home providing residential and nursing care for up to 70 people. At the time of our inspection there were 62 people using the service. Accommodation is split over five units
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received care and support from staff who were kind, caring and patient in their approach. We observed how people responded to staff positively with smiles and laughter. At the midday meal, people received support when they needed it in a calm and unrushed manner.
There were sufficient staff to ensure people’s safety. Over the course of the pandemic there had been challenges around staffing levels, however the impact on people had been minimised through using regular agency staff. There were risk assessments in place to manage risk and guide staff in providing safe support. There were fire safety systems throughout the home, and these were in the process of being improved at the time of our inspection.
Staff received training and supervision to support them in providing effective care. The registered manager supported staff to develop into more senior roles where they wished to do so. Staff worked with healthcare professionals to meet people’s needs.
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.
There was a culture of openness and willingness to learn. The registered manager was able to tell us about action they had taken in response to previous concerns raised by families and we saw evidence that learning had been implemented. We received feedback that communication between the home and families hadn’t always been good and have made a recommendation in relation to addressing this. We have also made a recommendation regarding recording.
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 4 December 2018).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns raised by relatives. These concerns included staffing, communication and quality of food, as well as concerns regarding care provided to individuals. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
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.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns.
For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Saffron Gardens on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.