We carried out a review of the data available to us about Wytham House 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 Wytham House, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice
• The service was booking visitors in at a time that suited people and was spaced out to avoid potential infection transmission with other visitors. Visitors were checked on entry to the home to ensure as far as possible they were not infected.
• People at extreme risk and those isolating were supported in creative ways, including having their own dedicated staff who provided a support bubble to support all their needs, including their meals and social support.
•The home was clean, tidy and smelled fresh. Rigorous cleaning schedules ensured the home was maintained to a safe and hygienic standard.
We were assured the service were following safe infection prevention and control procedures to keep people safe.
Wytham House is a care home providing personal and nursing care to people aged 65 and over living with dementia. The care home accommodates up to 40 people across three separate units laid over two floors. There were 37 people living at the service at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found:
People living at Wytham House received safe care from skilled and knowledgeable staff. Staff knew how to identify and report any concerns. The provider had safe recruitment and selection processes in place.
Risks to people's safety and well-being were managed through a risk management process. There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.
Relatives told us staff were caring. Staff consistency enabled people to receive good care from staff who knew them well. Staff did all they could to promote independency and we saw examples of such practices.
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 particularly good understanding of when the principles of the Mental Capacity Act should be applied. People were supported to meet their nutritional needs and complimented the food at the home
The home was well-led by a registered manager who was committed to improving people’s quality of life. The service had a clear management and staffing structure in place and staff worked well as a team. The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Staff worked well with external social and health care professionals.
Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was good (published 13 September 2017).
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
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.
Wytham House care home is registered to provide accommodation for up to 40 older people who require nursing or personal care. At the time of the inspection there were 28 people living at the service.
We were welcomed by the registered manager and staff who were happy to see us and keen to show their caring nature and share the positive changes they had made in the previous months.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 registered manager worked closely with the deputy manager and a regional manager.
People told us they were safe. Risks to people’s well-being were assessed and managed safely to help them maintain their independency. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. Staff clearly understood how to safeguard people and protect their health and well-being. There were systems in place to manage safe administration and storage of medicines. People received their medicine as prescribed.
People were supported by staff that had the right skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively. Staff told us they were well supported by the management team. Staff support was through regular supervisions (one to one meetings with their line manager), appraisals and team meetings to help them meet the needs of the people they cared for.
Wytham House continuously recruited staff to ensure people’s needs were met. The home had staff vacancies which were covered by regular suitably qualified and experienced agency staff to meet people's needs. Same agency staff were used to maintain continuity. The management team were doing all they could to ensure safe staffing levels. The home had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their roles.
Staff worked closely with various local social and health care professionals. Referrals for specialist advice were submitted in a timely manner. Where people had received end of life care, staff had taken actions to ensure people would have as dignified and comfortable death as possible. End of life care was provided in a compassionate way.
People living at Wytham House were supported to meet their nutritional needs and maintain an enjoyable and varied diet. Meal times were considered social events. We observed a pleasant dining experience during our inspection.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and report on what we find. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of the MCA and applied its principles in their work. Where people were thought to lack capacity to make certain decisions, assessments had been completed in line with the principles of MCA. The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS); these provide legal safeguards for people who may be deprived of their liberty for their own safety.
People had their needs assessed prior to living at Wytham House to ensure staff were able to meet people’s needs. People’s care plans gave details of support required and were updated when people’s needs changed. People knew how to complain and complaints were dealt with in line with the provider’s complaints policy. People’s input was valued and they were encouraged to feedback on the quality of the service and make suggestions for improvements.
People, their relatives, staff and healthcare professionals told us they felt Wytham House was well run. The registered manager and management team promoted a positive, transparent and open culture. Staff told us they worked well as a team and felt valued. The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place which were used to drive improvement. The registered manager had a clear plan to develop and further improve the home.