Background to this inspection
Updated
4 December 2020
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
One inspector carried out this inspection.
Service and service type
Greta Cottage 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
We gave a short period notice of the inspection to allow the home and us to manage the risks of infection.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from Redcar & Cleveland local authority and professionals who work with the service, such as South Tees infection prevention and control team. 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 four people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff including, registered manager, one care worker and a member of domestic staff.
We reviewed records relating to infection prevention and control. This included policies and audits.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
4 December 2020
About the service
Greta Cottage is a care home which provides care for up to 29 people. The service does not provide nursing care. Care is primarily provided to older people, some of whom are living with a dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 29 people using the service.
The service accommodates people across two floors.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported by staff who knew them and their needs well. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their dignity when supporting them. People and relatives were positive about the caring nature of staff and the service they received.
There were enough staff employed and on duty to meet the needs of people. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff.
Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed, and risk assessments were in place.
Medicines were managed safely. We identified some minor improvements were needed in relation to the recording of medicines. However, immediate action was taken by the management team to rectify this and the other recording short falls.
Ongoing improvements were being made to the decoration and facilities in the building. A representative from the fire authority had recently visited the service and had identified some areas of fire safety requiring attention. The registered managers were taking appropriate action to address this. Checks on the environment and equipment took place.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to deliver care and support in a person-centred way. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice
People were able to participate in a range of activities if they chose to do so. Care plans were person centred.
The management team were open and approachable which enabled people to share their views and raise concerns. People and relatives told us if they were worried about anything they would be comfortable to talk with staff or the registered managers.
The provider monitored quality, acted quickly when change was required, sought people's views and planned ongoing improvements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 23 February 2017).
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.