The Old Rectory Grappenhall Limited

We found the following examples of good practice.

Staff had received appropriate training and guidance in infection prevention and control (IPC) and followed correct procedures in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). There were sufficient supplies of PPE located around the service and appropriate locations identified for staff to safely remove and dispose of PPE. The home was kept clean and hygienic with regular cleaning schedules being adhered to.

The service made effective use of available COVID-19 testing for both people living at the home and staff; this included agency staff. The service had recently implemented testing for all staff on each day they worked at the home to help provide additional reassurances of the safety of people at the home and staff members.

The service followed safe visiting procedures to minimise the spread of infection. Additional, outdoor cleaning facilities had been installed to allow visitors to wash their hands during visits. Staff reassured people throughout the pandemic and provided them with the support they needed to maintain regular contact with family and friends through the use of technology.

Staff followed shielding and social distancing rules and encouraged people to maintain social distancing where able to. To help maintain people’s health and wellbeing, regular activities were offered where appropriate. Where social distancing was not possible due to the level of care required, staff followed correct procedures in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safe procedures were in place for admitting people into the service. Staff ensured people newly admitted were given additional support to maintain their health and wellbeing.

We were assured the service was following safe infection prevention and control measures to help keep people safe.

The Old Rectory is a care home which can accommodate up to 38 older people who need residential or nursing care across two floors. At the time of our inspection 36 people were living in the home.

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

The Old Rectory is a family-owned business with owners who are fully involved in the day-to-day running of the service. The owners’ values and ethos of providing a ‘family’ feel and atmosphere was shared by the registered manager and staff team. All staff were happy in their role and described the service as their ‘second home’. They were keen to implement the person-centred care that was encouraged by the registered manager and owners.

Risks to people had been identified and assessed with guidance in place for staff to follow to ensure people did not come to harm. Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse and were confident reporting any concerns they may have. People told us they felt safe and family members were reassured their loved ones were well looked after. People’s medicines were managed safely by trained staff and guidance was in place for people who received medicines ‘as required’.

There were enough suitably qualified and trained staff to meet people’s needs safely and effectively. Staff commented on the good teamwork and how they supported each other especially during busy times. They told they felt they had time to sit with people and spend quality time with them.

People’s needs had been assessed and plans were in place to help manage these. Staff commented on how easy the care plans were to follow and how the information they contained helped them to support people.

People had access to other health and social care professionals when needed and staff followed the guidance provided. People were supported to maintain a healthy balanced diet and spoke positively about the food provided. All staff had good knowledge of people’s individual dietary needs and preferences and provided people with the support they needed during meal times.

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 family members spoke positively about the caring nature of all staff and they confirmed the ‘family’ ethos. Family members told us how welcome they were made to feel and how well staff knew them just as much as they knew their loved ones. Staff had developed positive relationships with people and provided care and support that was person-centred and based on their needs and choices.

A full time activities co-ordinator supported people to access a range of activities. People were encouraged to complete a 'bucket list' of things they would like to do and were supported to achieve this. Regular garden parties and events were organised to help forge and maintain links with the local community.

People and family members spoke positively about the management of the service. They were confident raising concerns and the registered manager’s ‘open door’ policy created an environment that was relaxed and supportive. Effective systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and the registered provider was keen to improve the quality of care people received.

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 (report published 1 June 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.

On the day of this inspection there were 34 people living at The Old Rectory.

At the last inspection on 9 December 2014 the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People and relatives told us the staff were kind, caring and very helpful. They said the service and care was excellent. Comments included “I am very happy here”, “The staff are very good” and “The staff are very nice.” People told us that the food was very good. Relatives confirmed that people were safe with the staff and within The Old Rectory.

People and relatives told us that they had no concerns or complaints about the service. They were aware of and had access to the registered provider’s complaints policy and would speak to staff if they had any concerns.

Care plans were well documented and held good information about the individual person. Risk assessments were in place as needed and were individually tailored to each person’s needs. All documentation was up to date. Medication was administered safely.

People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable about them and who had undertaken sufficient training to meet people’s needs. Staff recruitment was robust and prospective staff undertook appropriate checks prior to starting work at the service. Staff had good supervision and were encouraged to attend meetings.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff were aware of the safeguarding policies and procedures and had received training in safeguarding adults.

The environment was well maintained with good décor and was clean.

The registered manager used a range of methods to assess, monitor and improve the service. These included regular audits of the service and staff and service user meetings to seek the views of people about the quality of care being provided. A wide range of compliments had been received regarding the service.

We saw that some positive feedback had been received about the service from the surveys. Comments from the surveys were the; place is always spotless; I like the family feel; very satisfied with all aspects of cleanliness" "ironing service is excellent; "level of communication is excellent." Comments made by people living at the home were made such as "you can speak with anybody anytime if you are worried about anything".