The Chestnuts

Updated 9 July 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team.

Our inspection was completed by an adult social care inspector, an inspection manager and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Our expert by experience had knowledge about personal care of adults using this type of service.

Service and service type.

This service is a care home that provides personal care for older adults some of whom may be living with dementia.

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.

Our inspection was unannounced on the first day. The inspection took place on 29 and 30 April 2019.

What we did.

Our inspection was informed by information we held about the service including notifications that the service sent us. We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, a visiting professional, five care staff including the domestic member of staff. In addition, we spoke with 13 people who used the service and two visiting relatives.

We reviewed each person’s medicine chart, 15 people’s care plans and additional records specific to their care needs. We viewed audits and other records relating to the way the service was managed.

Updated 9 July 2019

About the service.

The Chestnuts is a purpose-built care home set in its own grounds and provides care and accommodation for up to 64 people including those living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 42 people were using the service.

People’s experience of using this service.

Medicines were not managed effectively. We found several people had not received their medicines as the prescriber intended.

Staff did not always receive regular supervisions to support them in their role.

We found two people were being deprived of their liberty. The provider had not re-applied to renew these applications until two months after the expiry date.

Audits were undertaken by the provider. However, the audits had not identified the issues we found in relation to medicines, supervisions and DoLS applications.

People reported they felt safe and were treated in a dignified manner.

People told us they enjoyed the food at the service. Where people were at risk of malnutrition appropriate steps were taken.

Activities were available for people to avoid social isolation. Complaints were recorded and responded to appropriately. CQC notifications were sent where appropriate.

Rating at last inspection.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good (the report was published on 16 September 2016).

Why we inspected.

This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.

Follow up.

We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care. Further inspections will be planned for future dates.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk