The Sycamores

The Sycamores is a care home providing personal care to older people and people living with dementia. The service accommodates 60 people in one adapted building, over 2 floors. At the time of the inspection 46 people were using the service.

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

Systems for managing and storing medicines were not always safe. Environments was not always safe or suitable for the needs of people living at the home. Activities were not always consistently accessible.

The provider and registered manager were responsive to concerns raised at the time of the inspection. They made some immediate improvements and had plans in place for further improvements.

Staff were trained to recognise potential risks and signs of abuse. Staffing levels were safe. Staff used personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately when supporting people and infection prevention and control processes were in place.

Healthy lifestyles were promoted, and systems were in place to make sure people's health needs were met. Menu planning met people's dietary needs and considered individual and cultural preferences. Staff had the skills and knowledge to deliver care effectively. People's needs were assessed and reviewed regularly.

Care plans were personalised and showed the care and support people wanted and needed. People and relatives knew how to raise concerns and were confident these would be dealt with appropriately. People told us staff were polite and always asked before providing support.

Managers ensured systems were in place to monitor the running of the service. The provider had procedures in place to receive feedback on how to improve support. Lessons were learned when concerns were raised, and these outcomes were communicated to staff. Staff worked well in partnership with other agencies to deliver effective support.

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.

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 31 August 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.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified a breach in relation to managing and storing medicines safely at this inspection.

We have made recommendations about improvements in governance of controlled drugs, and the safety of the environment to improve the independence of the people receiving support.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

We found the following examples of good practice.

The home was clean and tidy. Enhanced schedules of cleaning were in place. Staff completed training in safe infection control practices, were assessed as competent, and used the required personal protective equipment as needed.

Vulnerable people and staff were supported physically and emotional. Risk assessments were continually reviewed, and action taken to manage any new risks when these were identified.

The service had a good understanding of the principles of cohorting and zoning in managing infection and outbreaks. This was being applied and subject to continual review as circumstances at the service changed.