Background to this inspection
Updated
12 March 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 included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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 team consisted of two inspectors 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.
Service and service type
Townsend House 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 and took place on 20 January 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was 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 looked at notifications received from the provider. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. This ensured we were addressing any areas of concern.
During the inspection
We spoke with 10 people who used the service. We looked around the home and observed the way staff interacted with people. We looked at four care plans, four medicine administration records (MAR). We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, the handyman and the chef. We looked at four recruitment and training records as well as health and safety processes.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
12 March 2022
Townsend House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 43 older people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 45 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Risks to people's safety and well-being were managed through a risk management process. On the day of inspection there were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's basic care needs. However, we saw staff were very busy and at times, rushed. We observed people not receiving timely support and staff told us they were task focused due to staffing levels. Whilst we found no evidence that people had been harmed, the staffing issues had an impact on the service running effectively. The registered manager was aware and the provider was actively recruiting.
Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed.
People living at Townsend House were supported to lead purposeful lives, engaging with their families and the local community. Whilst adjustments had been made due to the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic, measures had remained in place to ensure meaningful relationships and people's overall health and wellbeing was maintained.
People told us they felt safe living at the home. Staff knew how to identify and report any concerns. Staff had been trained and were aware of their responsibilities to report concerns.
Staff worked well with external social and health care professionals. The service had a clear management and staffing structure in place and staff worked well as a team.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 31 January 2020).
Why we inspected
We undertook a targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns which we had received about the service. The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staffing levels. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We inspected and found there was a concern with staffing levels, so we widened the scope of the inspection to become a focused inspection which included the key questions of Safe and well-led.
For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.
The overall rating for the service remains Good based on the findings of this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Townsend House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Enforcement and Recommendations
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection.
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.