We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Acorns 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 The Acorns, you can give feedback on this service.
The Acorns is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 39 people. At the time of our inspection there were 39 people living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives spoke highly of the home and the care and support provided by staff. People told us they felt safe living at The Acorns. The home was clean and well-maintained and staff followed good infection control practices. Annual servicing of equipment had been completed and regular maintenance safety checks were carried out. The recruitment process was robust and there were enough staff to care for people safely. Medicines were managed correctly. Some minor issues with medicines we identified during the inspection were promptly dealt with.
People and their relatives were complimentary about the staff. People’s needs were assessed and everyone had a person-centred care plan in place. 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. All staff had completed a range of training, with further courses booked. Staff told us they felt very supported by the management team and received regular supervision meetings. People were given a choice of food and special diets were catered for. Staff worked closely with outside health professionals to help people maintain their health and stay well.
Care records contained detailed information about each person and how they wished to be supported. People were encouraged to take part in a range of different activities. Some helped with tasks around the home which they found rewarding. Relatives could visit the home, in line with government COVID-19 guidance. Staff had developed links with the local hospice and were trained to care for people approaching the end of their lives.
People, their relatives and staff all spoke highly of the management team and the way the home was run. There was a positive culture at the home and staff felt valued and supported. The provider had quality assurance tools in place to monitor the quality of care and support provided.
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 the service under the previous provider was Requires Improvement (report published 22 November 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection to provide the first rating of the service under its new provider.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.
We found the following examples of good practice:
On arrival to the home there was arrange of information displayed to inform visitors about any infection control procedures to be followed. Temperature checks were taken and a questionnaire completed to establish if people had displayed any symptoms of Covid-19.
Social distancing was adhered to within the home and we saw communal areas were appropriately spaced out to enable people to keep at least two metres apart. Additional changes had also been made to enable people to socially distance at meal- times, such as the installation of smaller kitchens on each floor to avoid people congregating together in the dining room.
Zoning arrangements were used when people had tested positive (for Covid-19) and needed to self isolate in certain areas of the home. Testing arrangements were in place for both staff and people using the service. People living at the home were also scheduled to receive their Covid-19 vaccination imminently.
Appropriate arrangement were in place for new admissions, such as requesting confirmation of a negative Covid-19 test before moving into The Acorns.
Enough personal protective equipment (PPE) was available and we saw staff wore it at all times during our visit.
We observed the home to be clean and tidy, with domestic staff carrying out their duties throughout the day. Windows were opened at various times during the day to assist with ventilation and outdoor facilities were used when better weather allowed.
There were enough staff to care for people safely, with staff receiving additional infection control training during the pandemic. Agency staff were used to fill any gaps in rotas where regular staff were unavailable.
Risk assessments were completed where certain groups may be at higher risk of contracting the virus. An appropriate infection control procedure was in place and regular infection control audits were undertaken to ensure standards were maintained. Continency planning arrangements had also been implemented.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.