Background to this inspection
Updated
28 January 2022
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 12 January 2022. We gave the service approximately 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
28 January 2022
About the service
Verulam House is a nursing home. It provided accommodation and nursing care to 43 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 50 people.
Verulam House offers accommodation to people over three floors. A lift and stairs provide access to all floors and communal areas. People had access to a landscaped garden with patio and seating areas as well as other communal areas where they could spend time and socialise with others in the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe and happy with the way staff supported them. Staff knew how to keep people safe and how to report their concerns internally and externally to local safeguarding authorities if there was a need for it.
Everyone told us they were happy living in Verulam House because staff were kind and all their needs were met.
People told us staff helped them re-gain or maintain their independence. Staff were kind and caring when supporting people with daily living activities.
Staff promoted people`s privacy and dignity. Care and support were delivered in a personalised way by staff who knew people`s likes, dislikes and preferences, however this was not always evidenced in care plans.
Risks to people`s well-being and health were well managed and regularly reviewed to ensure they were safe and protected from the risk of harm. Staff received training and had their competencies assessed to ensure they were skilled and knowledgeable to meet people`s needs effectively.
The environment was homely, clean and welcoming. Staff used effective infection control measures to protect people from the risk of infections. Appropriate equipment was in place where needed for people to receive support in a safe way.
People had opportunities to take part in organised group activities or pursue their hobbies and interests. Staff had a genuine interest to keep people involved and occupied.
People and relatives told us there were enough staff in the home to meet people`s needs.
Everyone we spoke with praised the management team for being approachable, supportive and placing people in the centre of the care and support they delivered.
Complaints and feedback were used in a constructive way and lessons were learned to ensure improvements were made.
The registered manager and the provider used a range of effective audits and governance systems to check the quality and safety of the care people received.
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`s consent to the care and support they received was sought by staff before they delivered any care, however care plans were at times signed by relatives and some decisions were taken without involving people who were deemed to have capacity.
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 this service was Good (last report published [date?]).
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.