Background to this inspection
Updated
8 February 2022
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 legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 21 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one days’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
8 February 2022
About the service
Castle House Nursing Home is a care home and provides personal or nursing care for older people and those living with dementia. The home can accommodate a maximum of 47 people. The building is divided into three corridors, comprising of 46 single rooms and 1 double room. Eighteen of the bedrooms have en-suite private wet-rooms and all the others have en-suite facilities.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt extremely safe living at Castle House Nursing Home. The provider had effective safeguarding systems, policies and procedures. Staff managed safeguarding concerns promptly, using local safeguarding procedures whenever necessary. Where required, investigations were thorough.
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 providers policies and systems supported this practice.
People were supported by staff that were extremely well led. The management team were passionate about giving high-quality person-centred care for people living at Castle House Nursing Home. Staff empowered people to keep control over their lives. People and their relatives were fully involved in how their care was delivered.
People received effective care and support from staff who were exceptionally well trained. The provider supported staff to progress within the care home and several staff took on additional responsibilities such as championing a specialist area. Staff used these roles to share good practice and ensure all staff were working consistently.
Castle House Nursing Home looked at ways of reducing social isolation for people without it having a financial impact on them. For example, they recruited volunteers to help with social activities that people enjoyed, such as bible reading. The activities team offered one to one and group activities every day, so people could choose what they wanted to do. People confirmed this had a positive impact on their lives.
The provider worked closely with other organisations to improve the experience of people receiving care and support. Staff raised any problems, or changes in people’s health care needs with relevant health care professionals in a timely manner.
Staff morale was very high, this was reflected in the high standard of care provided. Staff felt listened to and their opinions were valued. Comments from people included, “It’s a very happy atmosphere here and calm and friendly.”
There were quality assurance systems in place. These systems were effective, they monitored standards and ensured any shortfalls were addressed. People and relatives felt listened to and said they could speak with a member of the management team at any time. Any complaints made were fully investigated and treated as learning to enable the service to improve.
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 Outstanding (published 27 March 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.