Background to this inspection
Updated
7 December 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
This inspection was undertaken by 3 inspectors.
Service and service type
Emerson Grange 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. Emerson Grange 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 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 a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 31 October 2022 and ended on 04 November 2022. We visited the location on 31 October 2022.
What we did before the inspection
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 sought feedback from the local authority about the service.
We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 6 people who used the service and 5 relatives. We also spoke with 12 staff including the registered manager, the care manager, quality and care managers, support workers and registered nurses.
We reviewed a range of records. This included the day to day care records, risk assessments and care plans. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed, including training records, incident records, complaints and quality assurance processes. After the inspection we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
7 December 2022
About the service
Emerson Grange is a residential care home providing nursing and personal care to 61 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 85 people in one purpose-built building. Rooms were spread across three floors; one floor was designated to care for people living with Dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Risks to people were managed safely. Some changes needed to be made to Diabetes and Choking risk assessments. The registered manager addressed these concerns straight away and changes were made.
People and their relatives told us they felt safe at Emerson Grange. Safeguarding concerns were dealt with appropriately and the registered manager reported concerns to the local authority safeguarding team. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs in a timely way and staff were appropriately trained.
People's medicines were managed safely by competent and trained staff. Records were in place and audits were carried out monthly.
People 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 told us the food was good. Activities were provided regularly throughout the day and people were encouraged to feed back about what they wanted to do.
People and their relatives told us the staff were kind and caring. Staff were observed to know people well and how best to support them.
People were involved in planning their own care. Care plans were person centred, including likes and dislikes and they were reviewed regularly. Relatives were kept up to date and involved where necessary in their loved one’s care.
The management team were new to the service. People, relatives and staff were positive about them, said their door was always open and they were visible in the service. Positive changes had been made to the service such as improvements to communication.
The service had a quality assurance system in place. Various audits were carried out and actions were put in place where necessary to reduce risks or to make improvements.
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 good (published 18 September 2019).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about safeguarding alerts. 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.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.