About the service: People using the service lived in a large village community for those aged 55 and over. The village had 260 apartments and was close to the town centre in High Wycombe. The village had facilities which included a gym, hair salon, bar and bistro.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. Fifty three people were being supported with personal care at the time of our visit. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service:
People spoke positively of the care they received. Typical comments included “The carers are brilliant and fantastic and friendly,” “It is like a hotel. I am very happy here” and “I think the service is good and I tell others, it is such a good idea.”
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 received safe and effective care. They were supported by staff who had been robustly recruited. Staff received a structured induction and undertook a wide range of training to be able to meet people’s needs.
People were supported with their healthcare needs. Healthy eating and exercise were promoted, to help people keep fit and well. Staff were assessed before they were permitted to handle people’s medicines. In one case we found a person’s medicines could not be given to them as they had run out. We have made a recommendation to improve medicines practice, to ensure prescriptions are requested in good time.
People’s needs were recorded in care plans. Risk assessments had been written to identify and mitigate the likelihood of people experiencing injury or harm.
The village setting provided opportunities for people to socialise with other residents and take part in activities.
Managers and staff worked with external agencies, such as the local authority and healthcare professionals, to make sure people received the care they required. Quality of care was monitored by the registered manager and provider to make sure it met people’s needs in a safe and person-centred way.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection:
This service was registered with us on 3 May 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection.
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.