The Chestnuts

Updated 9 February 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 13 January 2021 and was announced.

Updated 9 February 2021

About the service

The Chestnuts is a residential care home providing personal care to 16 older people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 26 people in one adapted building over three floors.

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

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. There had been improvements in the cleanliness of the environment. Medication was stored safely and the quality of recording had improved. Water temperature was monitored weekly to ensure people could use safety. Staff were safely recruited. Staffing levels were regularly reviewed to ensure people's needs could be met.

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.

Environmental risk assessments for improvement work were not always followed. We observed trades men leaving equipment which was not in use. This could impact on the safety of the people using the service and cause potential trips or falls. We have made a recommendation about this.

People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity and encouraged them to be as independent as they could be. Staff received training and supervision to help with their development and confidence when supporting people. They knew people well and were knowledgeable about when to refer to other health professionals for advice and support.

Communication care plans were in place to support people's communication preferences.

People enjoyed the food provided and were supported to make sure they had enough to eat and drink.

Complaints were managed in line with the provider's policies and procedures. People's end of life wishes were considered and recorded in their care plans.

Improved quality monitoring systems had been introduced and identified where improvements were needed. Action plans were in place to monitor these. The registered manager and provider were responsive to feedback and committed to continually improve the service. However current improvements being made to benefit people using the service did not have any timescales for completion to ensure minimal disruption to residents. We have made a recommendation about this

The provider and registered manager promoted a very person-centred culture which respected people's diversity. Meetings were held with people, relatives and staff to exchange information and gather feedback.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 30 October 2018) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. Since this rating was awarded, the provider of the service has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection. At this inspection, improvements had been made and the provider was not in breach of regulations.

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.