Archived: Housing & Care 21 - Diamond Court

Updated 24 September 2014

We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming, and one inspector visited the service on the 24 April 2014. We carried out this inspection under section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to pilot a new inspection under Wave 1. 

On the day of the inspection there were 62 people receiving personal care. They were living in flats on two sites. We were shown around one of these sites including the communal areas and we were invited to visit three people in their flats. People had shared use of a restaurant and dining area, garden spaces, a library and a number of seating areas around the building. Two of our visits to people took place whilst they were being supported by staff.  We also spent time looking at records, which included people’s care records, and records relating to the management of the service.

Prior to the inspection, we reviewed information received from the organisation and examined previous inspection reports and information received by the Care Quality Commission. At our last inspection in July 2013 we did not identify any concerns with the care they provided. Prior to the inspection we also reviewed a draft of the information completed by the registered manager as part of the Wave 1 inspection methodology and questionnaire feedback from 26 people who used the service.

We spoke with eight people who were using the service on either the day we visited or by telephone after our inspection. We also spoke with a visiting relative, five members of staff and the registered manager. After the inspection we also spoke with two social care professionals who worked in partnership with the service.

During the inspection visit we reviewed four care plans, a selection of the service’s policies and procedures and four staff files.

Updated 24 September 2014

Housing & Care 21 – Diamond Court is an extra care housing scheme and domiciliary care service providing personal care to people who live in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care to 62 people. People lived in their own flats within two buildings and shared access to communal areas such as a library, a restaurant and dining room, gardens and a variety of seating areas.

When we visited there was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the  legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law like the provider.

Records did not always reflect the care, treatment, and medicines that people received. We found the service needed to make improvements in this area.  You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

We found that one notifiable incident had not been reported to the CQC since the last inspection. Registered managers have a statutory duty to notify the CQC of circumstances and events that might have an impact on the care they are providing.

On the day of the inspection we saw people were well cared for and their needs were met at times that were convenient to them. People told us they felt involved in their care and were able to talk with staff and the manager about any concerns they had. Comments included: “I was involved in my care plan.” and: “I’m very happy with what I get here. They really do care.”

We found there was a positive relationship between staff and management.

People were getting on well with each other and staff throughout our inspection. We heard chatter and laughter in the communal areas of the building.