Background to this inspection
Updated
6 February 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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector, a specialist nurse 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
Walcot Hall 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.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We also reviewed all the information we held about the service, including the previous inspection report and notifications of incidents the service is required to tell us about. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 14 people who used the service and one relative about their experience of using the service. We also spoke with four nurses, four care staff, the cook, a kitchen assistant, a member of the domestic staff, the deputy manager and the registered manager.
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us easily.
We reviewed a range of records. These included seven people’s care records and three medicines administration records. We also reviewed rotas, two staff training and recruitment records and other documents relating to the safety and quality of the service.
After the inspection
We sought clarification from the provider to validate evidence we found. This included a training matrix.
Updated
6 February 2020
About the service
Walcot Hall is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 32 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 42 people.
Walcot Hall is a large adapted period house on the outskirts of a village and has extensive and pleasant grounds for people to enjoy. There are communal dining and recreation areas. Accommodation is arranged on two floors.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider assessed and managed risks well and people were safe. We brought one potential risk to the registered manager’s attention and they took prompt action to address it. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and monitored the safety of the environment through regular checks. There were enough staff, although in recent weeks the service had struggled with staffing and some people who used the service commented on the impact of this. Staff were recruited safely.
Staff were knowledgeable, well trained and worked collaboratively as one large team. Pre-admission assessments were good and ensured people had appropriate care in place before they were admitted or readmitted. People's physical and emotional healthcare needs including their eating and drinking needs were very well managed
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. Staff had a good understanding of consent. Where people needed to be deprived of their liberty for their own safety, an appropriate application had been submitted to the local authority.
Staff were very kind and respectful and included people in decisions about their care and support. Families were involved in decisions if people were not able to do this for themselves.
People received person-centred care which met their individual needs. End of life care was good, and staff had appropriate end of life training. People had things to do and small group activities worked well. Some people would have liked more to do. Complaints were well managed.
Leadership was strong and the manager was a role model to all staff. The registered manager was aware of small areas for improvement and was open, honest and transparent about these. Audits showed good oversight and enabled the registered manager to identify patterns and trends and take appropriate action, if needed.
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 15 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.