Townsend Hub

Updated 27 January 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 Care Act 2014.

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Townsend Hub 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 unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration and we sought feedback from the local authority. 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 all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, team organisers and reablement assistants.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 27 January 2022

About the service

Townsend Hub is registered to provided accommodation and personal care for up to 35 people. At the time of the inspection 27 people were living at the service. Townsend Hub provides accommodation, personal care and therapies on a short-term basis to help people regain their independence and return to their own homes (re-ablement). The people living at the home have both physical and psychological support and care needs

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

Risks to people’s health and welfare were assessed on admission to the service, however these were not regularly reviewed to ensure people’s changing needs were considered and safely managed. People were protected from harm because staff worked closely with other professionals, such as nurses, based in the service but this was not well recorded or planned. This increased the risk of people’s needs not being managed safely.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Medicines were stored safely and audited regularly to ensure good practice was maintained. ‘As required medicines’ (PRN) were not managed in line with best practice guidance. We made a recommendation about this.

Accidents and incidents were recorded, and actions were in place to ensure people were safe. Referrals were made to healthcare professionals when needed to ensure good outcomes for people. However, there was no analysis of incidents which meant opportunities to learn lessons were missed.

The environment was safe and well-maintained. The home was clean and effective infection prevention and control measures were in place.

There were enough staff at the service to meet people’s needs. Staff were visible around the home and were readily available to support people when needed. Staffing levels were monitored, reviewed and amended when needed by the manager.

There were good working relationships between staff and other health professionals, such as physiotherapists and nurses, which ensured people achieved good health outcomes.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their role in recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns. The provider had appropriate systems in place to manage concerns of a safeguarding nature.

There were regular checks completed to ensure quality and safety were maintained. However, these checks had not identified concerns with risk assessments and risk management planning found at this inspection. Relatives told us they felt communication with the home could be improved.

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 the service at the previous premises was good, published on 1st December 2016.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

We undertook a focused inspection to review the previous rating. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe and Well-led. The ratings from the previous comprehensive for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed to requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Townsend Hub on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement

At this inspection we have identified a breach in relation to governance processes at the service.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.