Background to this inspection
Updated
14 April 2021
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 the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 25 March 2021 and was announced.
Updated
14 April 2021
About the service: Woking Homes is a residential care home for retired railway personnel and their families. People without a railway connection are also welcome to live there. It is a registered charity with a board of trustees. The home can accommodate up to 51 people. At the time of our inspection 48 people were using the service, some of whom were living with dementia. All accommodation is provided on the ground floor so that all facilities are accessible to everyone.
People’s experience of using this service:
People told us they felt safe and happy. There were positive and caring relationships between staff and people, and this extended to relatives and other visitors. Staff understood the importance of providing person-centred care and treated everyone as individuals, respecting their abilities and promoting independence. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns they had about people’s welfare and how to protect them from abuse.
Woking Homes continued to be kept clean, safely maintained and furnished to comfortable standards. People had the equipment they needed to meet their assessed needs. Health and safety checks were carried out to make sure the premises and equipment were safe.
There were enough staff, day and night, to support people’s needs. The provider recruited staff safely to ensure they were suitable for their role. Staff continued to receive ongoing training and support to keep their knowledge, skills and practice up to date.
People needs were fully assessed before moving to the home so the provider knew whether they could meet the person's needs. Care plans were individual and representative of people’s needs, preferences, values and beliefs. Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were assessed and reviewed when needed. Staff took action to minimise these risks and keep people safe.
People were supported to maintain good health and to eat and drink well. Staff involved other professionals when people became unwell or required additional services. People received their medicines when they should. The provider followed safe practice for the management of medicines.
Staff were caring, respectful and made sure people’s privacy and dignity were maintained. People and their relatives were supported with care and compassion during end of life care. People were supported to have choice in their daily lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People enjoyed varied social and leisure activities and had opportunities to try new ones. There were meaningful activities for people living with dementia. Staff understood the importance of social interaction and ensured they offered people support and companionship when needed.
The registered manager showed effective leadership and the home was well run. Staff knew their roles and understood what was expected of them. Staff felt supported by management and each other. People, their relatives and staff told us management were approachable and that they listened to them when they had any concerns or ideas. All feedback was used to make continuous improvements in the service.
The provider had good oversight of the service and used effective systems to monitor quality and safety. Where improvements were needed or lessons learnt, action was taken.
At this inspection we found the evidence supported a rating of ‘Good’ in all areas, and continues to support a rating of ‘Good’ overall. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good (August 2016)
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. We will inspect in line with our inspection programme or sooner if required.