Background to this inspection
Updated
27 October 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Woodlands Manor is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave a short period notice of the inspection because we needed to be sure relevant people from the management team would be available.
Inspection activity started on 25th August and ended on 2nd September 2021.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed the information, we had received about the service. We reviewed CQC notifications. Notifications describe events that happen in the service that the provider is legally required to tell us about.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
The inspection was facilitated by the providers, operational director, registered manager and deputy. During our brief tour of the premises we observed interaction between care staff and people living in the home. We introduced ourselves and spoke with them briefly about their day and how they were feeling. We also spoke with the activity coordinators. We looked at records relating to care plans, recruitment and medicine management.
After the inspection
The second day of our inspection consisted of a video call meeting with providers, operational director and deputy. This was to discuss what we found during our visit and to collect further evidence through questions and discussion. We requested a range of records, including policies and procedures, risk assessments and quality monitoring and assurance documents. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
At the end of the first day of the inspection we sent emails to 25 people and their relatives and 35 staff. We received 22 responses, providing summaries of their experiences and views. These comments have been referred to throughout the report.
Updated
27 October 2021
About the service
Woodlands Manor is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 55 people. There were 54 residents living at the home at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received a service that was safe. The registered manager and staff understood their roles and responsibilities to keep people safe from harm. People were supported to take risks, promote their independence and follow their interests. Risks were assessed and plans put in place to keep people safe. There were enough staff to safely provide care and support to people. Checks were carried out on staff before they started work to assess their suitability to support vulnerable people. Medicines were well managed, and people received their medicines as prescribed.
The service was effective in meeting people’s needs. Staff received regular supervision and training required to meet people’s needs. Arrangements were made for people to see a GP and other healthcare professionals when they needed to do so. People were supported to enjoy a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet whilst promoting and respecting choice. 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 place supported this practice.
During a brief tour of the home we were introduced to people who welcomed us. People were relaxed, comfortable and confident in their home. The feedback we received from people, relatives and staff was positive. Staff had a good awareness of individuals' needs and treated people in a warm and respectful manner. They were knowledgeable about people's lives before they started using the service. Every effort was made to enhance this knowledge so that their life experiences remained meaningful. People were supported to maintain their personal interests and hobbies. It was evident there was a person-centred approach to care.
The service was responsive to people’s needs. Staff monitored and responded to changes in people’s needs. They were offered a range of activities. Everyone was encouraged to make their views known and the service responded by making changes.
People benefitted from a service that was well led. The provider and whole staff team maintained a focus on seeking to improve the service people received. Quality assurance systems were in place and based upon regular, scheduled audits which identified any action required to make improvements. This meant the quality of service people received was monitored on a regular basis and, where shortfalls were identified they were acted upon.
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 21 March 2019 and this is their first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection in order to give the home a rating.
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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.