We carried out a review of the data available to us about Upton Bay Care Home 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 Upton Bay Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Upton Bay Care Home is a residential care home registered to provide personal care and support to up to 68 people. The purpose built home provided care to older people across three floors accessed via stairs or a lift. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service over two floors.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People, their relatives, professionals and staff were complimentary about their experience of Upton Bay Care Home. People told us it was a safe place to be.
We have made a recommendation to the home in regard to the environment for people who are living with dementia.
People had personalised care plans in place. The registered manager and deputy manager were making changes to the format and had planned, 'study days' for staff to read plans and contribute to them.
People had risk assessments in place for their care and support needs. General risk assessments and maintenance checks meant the home functioned safely. Staff were well trained and knew how to recognise concerns, how to raise them and confident they would be followed up.
People were supported by enough staff who were there when they needed them. Safe recruitment processes were in place which meant staff had the necessary skills and experience to support people at the home. Medicines were managed safely by staff who had been appropriately trained.
The home was clean, tidy and infection control measures were robust. The home was compliant with guidance and safe processes relating to COVID-19. 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.
People had enough to eat and drink and were positive about the food. Special menus and diets were catered for. Staff sought medical services in a timely manner, staff who knew people well and could identify changes in their wellbeing. Staff were supported and had regular supervision sessions and training updates.
Everyone we spoke with told us staff were kind and caring, nothing was too much trouble for them. People were happy living at Upton Bay. One person said, “Staff are kind and keep an eye on things.” Another said, “They have made me very happy.” People were supported with dignity and respect to keep their abilities and independence.
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 had personalised care, the home-made efforts to get to know people well. People were supported to live full lives and to plan for their wishes at the end of life. The home had received compliments about its end of life care.
People had access to a wide range of activities to keep them active, involved and stimulated. Some people told us they preferred their own company and that was respected by staff. People were encouraged to continue with or develop new hobbies and interests. An activities co-ordinator made links with activity providers outside the home and developed activity plans that were varied.
The home had a complaints procedure in place and people were confident the registered manager would address any issues. The home had not received any complaints at the time of the inspection. Quality assurance systems operated effectively within the home, the provider had additional oversight of the home by monitoring visits and an electronic compliance system. Audits monitored the quality and safety of the home and actions were completed as planned.
People, their relatives, professionals and staff were complimentary about the leadership of Upton Bay Care Home. Staff felt proud to work at the home and were complimentary about their colleagues. Staff told us the reason they were working at Upton Bay was for the people they support. One member of staff said, “If I can put a smile on someone’s face or make someone laugh especially with my awful singing voice and….dancing then I have succeeded.” The home sought to engage well with the local community, groups and schools. Health and social care professionals told us they had a good working relationship with 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
This service was registered with us on 25 February 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.