Orchard Court

Updated 26 February 2022

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.

We received information of concern about visiting arrangements at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 31 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service two days notice of the inspection.

Updated 26 February 2022

About the service

Orchard Court Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 25 older people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 43 older people, some may be living with a dementia related condition.

The accommodation is spread over two floors and is currently in the process of being refurbished.

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

A new management team had recently been appointed and were making improvements since our last inspection. They had identified where improvements were needed and had plans in place to embed them into the service.

People had access to an outdoor area with seating and various activities based on their interests and hobbies. Staff engaged people in meaningful conversations about their life histories. Some dementia friendly activities were in place which the provider was looking to enhance further.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. The application of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) was in place.

Some risk assessments were not reflective of people’s current needs. The provider was in the process of updating these. Staff knew people well and could tell us how they managed risks to keep people safe.

Care plans were in the process of being reviewed and updated to include comprehensive records of people’s current needs. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they cared for and supported them in line with their wishes and preferences.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe and trusted the staff that supported them. Staff knew how to protect people from potential abuse or harm. Safeguarding incidents had been logged and reported to the appropriate agencies.

Medicines management had been improved to include appropriate administration and recording of topical medicines. The provider was in the process of reviewing their practices to address the management and recording of medicines for pain relief and behaviour management. Lessons learnt were shared with staff during team and daily huddle meetings.

Staffing levels were consistently maintained, and contingency plans were in place to manage any shortfalls. New recruitment procedures were being put in place to ensure newly recruited staff were suitable to work in care. Staff told us that communications between management and staff had improved, they felt more involved in decisions about their role and the management of the service.

The provider had scheduled a comprehensive training package to update staff’s skills and knowledge. Supervisions and appraisals had been scheduled for all staff and staff told us they felt supported.

The premises were designed to meet the needs of the people that used the service and further work was included in the refurbishment plans.

People told us staff were caring, kind and knew their needs well. Staff understood their roles and knew what was expected of them. Staff treated people with dignity at respect and supported them to be as independent as they could be.

The registered manager and the provider had plans in place to review all care records to ensure they were reflective of people’s current needs. These reviews included people and their relatives or representatives to ensure their feedback and views were captured.

Staff told us they felt supported and valued by the registered manager and that substantial improvements had been made in a short period of time. People and relatives told us they could speak with the registered manager at any time and felt welcome when visiting the service. Complaints and concerns had been dealt with appropriately and people felt they were able to discuss any concerns they may have.

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 requires improvement (published 16 October 2018). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations. The service has improved its rating to Good.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.