The Whitebeach

Updated 13 April 2023

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Whitebeach 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. The Whitebeach is a care home without 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.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time looking around the service and talking with people and staff. We spoke with 6 people who lived at the service and 12 staff. Staff included the operations manager, the registered manager, manager and deputy, 2 kitchen staff, the housekeeper, the maintenance lead and 4 carers. We spoke with 2 relatives and a professional visiting the service.

We looked at a range of documents including 6 care plans and associated documents relating to risk management. We spent time looking at medicine procedures and examined 4 medication administration records (MAR). We looked at documents relating to safeguarding, complaints, auditing processes and quality assurance. Following the inspection new spoke with a further 3 relatives and 3 professionals

Updated 13 April 2023

About the service

The Whitebeach is a residential care home providing regulated activities to up to 39 people. The service provides support to older people living with a range of health care needs for example, dementia, mobility support needs, diabetes and mental health issues. The service is split over three floors and had large communal areas for people to use. At the time of our inspection there were 33 people using the service.

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

People lived safely at the service and were protected from harm. Risk assessments were in place and staff knew people well and were able to identify any changes to people’s care and support needs. Medicines were administered by trained staff, recording and storage had been completed safely. The service was clean, and people were protected from infection by staff who wore personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately.

Managers carried out thorough pre-assessments for people before they moved into the service. Managers would ensure that people’s needs could be met by appropriately trained staff. Staff supported people and their loved ones to make and keep health and social care appointments and to liaise with other health and social care professionals when needed. The service had been adapted to meet the needs of people who lived with dementia and those needing support with their mobility. People’s nutrition and hydration needs were 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.

People were treated kindly and with respect and dignity. People’s privacy was respected, and their independence promoted without compromising their safety.

People’s care plans were person centred and provided personal histories and details about what was important to them as well as important details about their medical histories and current support needs. People were able to communicate freely with staff with support provided if needed. There were a range of activities for people to engage with, both in small groups and one to one. People had choice about their daily schedules. People and their relatives knew how to raise concerns and complaints and were confident that issues raised would be addressed. People’s end of life wishes were recorded and respected.

People spoke highly of the registered manager and the wider management team. People and their loved ones had opportunities to provide feedback about the service and told us they felt listened to. Auditing processes were in place, overseen by managers which provided learning and further safeguarding for people.

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 good (published 5 October 2018)

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service and the age of the last 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.