Background to this inspection
Updated
23 May 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: The inspection was carried out by two inspectors 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: Cold Springs Park is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager who had applied to be registered with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager 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: We planned the inspection using information we had received about the service including incidents the provider must notify us about. We reviewed the Provider Information Return. This is key information providers are required to send us about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We asked other care services for their views including the local authority, health care professionals and Healthwatch. This information helps support our inspections.
During the inspection, we spoke with four people who used the service to ask about their experience of the care provided, four relatives and a visiting healthcare professional. Some people who used the service were not always able to verbally tell us about their views of the service. 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.
We spoke with a unit leader, senior care and care staff, two activities coordinators, two catering staff, maintenance staff, the manager, regional manager and a quality assurance manager.
We looked at four people care records, medicines records, three staff recruitment files, training and supervision records, complaints and quality assurance records.
Updated
23 May 2019
About the service: Cold Springs Park is a residential care home which can provide personal care and support for up to 60 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. Accommodation is provided across two units in a single storey, purpose-built home. At the time of this inspection there were 51 people living at the service.
People’s experience of using this service: People and relatives praised the staff for the care and kindness they showed to them and to their families. They commented, “I never knew people could be so kind” and “The level of care here has been amazing and my family member is thriving again.”
People said the home was clean, warm and comfortable. They described the food as “very good” and they had lots of choices. People said there were lots of interesting activities and the chance to go out into their local community.
There were enough staff to assist the needs of the people who lived there. People said when they requested help, staff came straight away. Staff were vetted to make sure they were suitable to work at the care home. Staff said they were well trained and supported in their roles.
Staff knew how to protect people from avoidable harm. People at risk of falls or poor health were provided with the assistance and equipment they needed. People’s medicines were managed safely. The accommodation was well-maintained and a safe place to live.
People’s needs were assessed before they came to the home. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff assisted them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. When people were unable to make decisions about their care and support, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) were followed.
There was a friendly, welcoming atmosphere in the home. People and staff enjoyed good relationships and spent time chatting together. Staff made sure people were treated with dignity and respect, and their privacy was protected. People were offered choices and their decisions were respected. There was a good range of activities, exercises and opportunities to go outside.
At the last inspection some care plans did not always reflect people’s needs. We made a recommendation about that. During this inspection we found care plans had been improved so staff had the right guidance to assist people in the right way. Staff were sensitive and compassionate about the care they provided to people at the end stages of their lives.
People said the home was well-run. They were asked for their views at meetings and in surveys. They had information about how to raise issues and were happy with the way these were dealt with. Staff said the management team were open, approachable and supportive.
The manager and provider worked well with other services and local groups. They carried out regular monitoring checks of the service and had plans to continuously improve the home.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Requires Improvement (report published in April 2018).
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.