• Care Home
  • Care home

Potters Grange

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Barnet Road, Potters Bar, EN6 2SJ (01707) 938938

Provided and run by:
Ardale (Potters Grange) Limited

Latest inspection summary

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Background to this inspection

Updated 31 August 2022

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Potters Grange 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. Potters Grange 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 14 July 2022 and ended on 29 July 2022. We visited the service on 14 July 2022.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. 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 five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and received feedback from three relatives.

We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, nurses, care staff, housekeeping staff and activities staff. We also received written feedback from five members of staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision, and training records for the staff team.

A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and monitoring records, meeting minutes, surveys and feedback were also reviewed.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 31 August 2022

About the service

Potters Grange is a residential home registered to provide accommodation and nursing care to up to a maximum of 24 people.

The service provides support to adults who require personal and/or nursing care and may be living with a physical disability, sensory impairment or dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people living at the service.

The service is a new, purpose-built building. There are three floors, with accommodation on two floors and ancillary services on the remaining floor. Each bedroom has en-suite facilities, with additional toilets and a sensory bathroom on each floor. There are large communal spaces for people to use, with a spacious garden and patio area.

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

People told us they felt safe living at the service. Staff were aware of the safeguarding procedure and knew what action to take to help keep people safe. Risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing were identified and assessed, with action taken in response. Detailed assessments were in place, which provided clear guidance to staff on how to ensure risks to people were mitigated. Any incident, accident or untoward event was investigated by the registered manager.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff. Staffing levels were frequently reviewed by the registered manager. There were robust recruitment procedures in place. Staff had received training to ensure they had the knowledge they required to carry out their role effectively. Regular supervisions and team meetings were held with all staff.

Medicines were managed safely. Staff received training and had their competencies checked to ensure safe practice. Regular audits and checks were completed on all aspects of medicine administration.

We were assured by the measures taken to help ensure the prevention and control of infection. Staff had access to, and wore, sufficient PPE.

People had their needs assessed prior to moving to the service and were supported to express their views and make decisions about their care. Care plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in people's needs. Records demonstrated that appropriate referrals had been made, and health professionals involved, when people experienced a deterioration in their health or a change in their needs. We saw that people, and their relatives, were consistently involved in the development and review of care plans.

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 told us staff were kind, caring and courteous. Relatives were also positive about the care and support provided. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was promoted by staff in all aspects of people’s care. People were encouraged to share how this wished to received care. People told us that staff took into account their individual needs and preferences and were aware of their likes and dislikes.

People were supported to take part in a range of activities and were encouraged to explore new activities and interests if they wanted to. The service used social media, newsletters and individual ‘newspapers’ for each person to share news and information with people and their relatives.

People and their relatives felt they could speak with staff if they had any concerns and felt they would be listened to. A robust complaints procedure was available to all.

Feedback about the atmosphere and culture at the service was positive. People, relatives and staff felt engaged with the service and found the registered manager to be approachable. There were frequent opportunities for people, relatives and staff to provide feedback on the service. All confirmed they felt confident that their views and opinions were valued.

The provider and registered manager had a comprehensive quality assurance system in place which ensured all aspects of the service were regularly audited. This helped to ensure oversight and scrutiny of the care being delivered.

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 04 June 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service and based on the date of registration.

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, which will help inform when we next inspect.