Clarendon Hall Care Home

Updated 11 July 2023

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check whether the provider had met the requirements of the specific concern we had about assessing, monitoring and managing associated risks to keep people safe. We will assess all of the key question at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Clarendon Hall is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Clarendon Hall is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 8 members of staff including the deputy manager, housekeeper, nursing assistant and care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people's care records, risk assessments and environmental checks. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to competencies and training. A variety of records in relation to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 11 July 2023

About the service

Clarendon Hall is a purpose-built care home that is registered to provide personal and nursing care to older people. The care home accommodates up to 52 people and on the day of inspection 38 people were using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Since the last inspection, there had been improvements in medicines management, record keeping and quality monitoring. The quality of care records in relation to consent had improved. Recruitment records contained appropriate references and checks. Where people required support with their medicines this was managed safely and the standard of recording on medicine administration records had improved.

The provider’s quality monitoring system had been completed more consistently. Audits were effective and more regular infection and prevention audits were put in place during the inspection. New monitoring systems had been introduced and shortfalls were addressed. All feedback was used to make continuous improvements to the service.

People received an extremely responsive service. People's care needs were thoroughly assessed. Their care was personalised to their preferences and routines, which enabled them to live their lives in the way they wanted. People were supported to have a comfortable, dignified and pain-free death by staff who worked closely with end of life health care professionals.

The service was continuously developing their excellent activities programme. People stayed as active as possible with a range of innovative, meaningful activities offered each day. People developed strong connections with others living at the service and within the community. Staff supported people to achieve their wishes and dreams.

People were happy with the care provided as staff were kind, caring, attentive and respectful. Staff had developed positive relationships with people. Staff were motivated and positive about their role and demonstrated the provider's values of ‘kindness in care.’ People were encouraged to make their views known and the service responded by making changes.

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 and relatives said the service was safe. Staff knew how to recognise abuse and were confident in reporting any concerns. Risks to people had been assessed and mitigated. Staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. The management team supported staff through supervision, team meetings and annual appraisals.

Staff supported people to access appropriate healthcare services, followed professional advice and provided consistent care. People were encouraged to eat a healthy diet and any concerns were raised with the relevant healthcare professionals. Staff provided support at meal times in a sensitive and patient way.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 7 January 2019) and there was one breach of regulation.

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

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.