We carried out a review of the data available to us about Orchard Gardens on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Orchard Gardens, you can give feedback on this service.
Orchard Gardens is a residential care home providing personal care to 38 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. Orchard Gardens is part of Bishopstoke Park, a retirement housing development. There are facilities on site such as a wellness centre and spa, restaurant and shop which are easily accessible from the home.
Orchard Gardens provides accommodation for up to 48 people across two floors of a purpose-built home. One floor provides care to people living with more advanced dementias.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and we saw records and practice that supported this. Medicines were safely managed, and people were supported to take their medicines in their chosen way. Risks were assessed, and additional controls put in place to minimise any residual risks. Staff were safely recruited and there were sufficient staff deployed to meet peoples care needs. The service was very clean and there were no malodours.
Pre-admission assessments ensured the provider could meet people’s needs before they moved to the service and assessments looked at people holistically. People received appropriate support to eat and drink enough and most of the feedback we received about meals was positive. Staff were well supported through supervision and a comprehensive package of induction and ongoing training. The premises were purpose built and the registered manager was working to make them more dementia friendly in appearance.
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.
People were supported in a person-centred way and their needs associated with the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 were met. People were supported to make choices and be involved in decisions about their care to the extent of their ability and regular care plan reviews ensured that care delivery was as the person wanted it to be. People were treated with respect by staff and supported to maintain their current level of skills.
Peoples care records had extensive information about their life histories and each person had a memory box on the wall outside of their room. There was a busy activities programme, and people were encouraged to join sessions that stimulated both their mind and kept the physically active. There was a complaints policy and we saw that procedures were followed when dealing with complaints about the service so that a positive outcome was achieved. The provider had resources available to ensure that they met the Accessible Information Standard. The registered manager was proud of the end of life care delivered by the service. Staff had recently completed training in end of life care and were developing end of life plans with people.
There was a positive, open culture at the service, people and staff were happy to speak with us. Regular audits and an ongoing action plan ensured the service was continually improving. The registered manager had forged positive working relationships with local health and social care providers and worked in partnership with them.
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 18 March 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Orchard Gardens on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.
A registered manager was not in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The service had appointed a new manager whose intention it was to register with CQC. In the interim, the deputy manager had been overseeing the running of the service.
Staff spoke highly of the deputy manager and told us they had made changes around the home, which had a positive effect on the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of the service. The provider also had provided additional resources to support the deputy manager in the absence of a registered manager.
There were systems and processes in place to monitor the safety of the home and the quality of care. The deputy manager carried out regular auditing and checking to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the home environment. Incidents were used to enhance learning, understanding, leading to changes to prevent them re-occurring
There were systems in place to manage the safe ordering, storage, administration and disposal of people’s medicines. The service had made changes to its medicines management system to respond to errors and improve effectiveness. The service had established good working relationships with doctors and other healthcare services and people were encouraged to follow a diet, which was in line with their nutritional needs.
The service had made developments to make people’s care plans more person centred, including details about their routines, preferences and life histories. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and were committed in their roles. Staff understood how to protect people’s rights and the importance of treating them with dignity and respect.
Staff sought consent from people before providing care and support. People’s ability to make decisions was assessed in line with legal requirements, ensuring their rights were protected and their liberty was not unlawfully restricted. Decisions were taken in the best interests of people.
Staff received appropriate training and supervision to carry out their roles effectively. Staff had received training in safeguarding and understood how to raise concerns if required. Risks to people’s wellbeing were clearly identified and managed to reduce the likelihood of harm.
The provider sought feedback from people using residents meetings and questionnaires, making changes to act on people’s suggestions. There was a complaints policy in place and people understood how to raise concerns.
There was a range of activities available to people which they were encouraged to participate in. The provider had made some adaptations to make it a suitable environment for people living with dementia.