Background to this inspection
Updated
3 July 2021
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 with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
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
The inspection was conducted by two inspectors.
Service and service type
Norlington Nursing Home is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection visit was announced. We gave the provider 24 hours' notice of our inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since our last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and two relatives, and spent time observing and listening to how staff interacted with people. We spoke with the owner, the registered manager and four members of care staff which included a senior carer and the maintenance technician.
We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service. This included infection control audits, infection control policies, medicine management processes, risk assessments in relation to equipment and premises and policies and audits relating to the governance of the service. We reviewed two people’s care records and seven people’s medicine administration records, three weeks of staff rotas and two staff recruitment records.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We requested further information relating to safety certificates from the registered manager and this was supplied promptly.
Updated
3 July 2021
About the service
Norlington Nursing home is a nursing and care home and is registered to provide accommodation for up to 30 people. At the time of this inspection 10 people were living or staying Norlington Nursing Home.
People’s experience of using the service and what we found
There was a calm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere at Norlington Nursing Home. Staff knew people well and were attentive to their needs. Potential risks to people’s health and welfare and the premises had been assessed and regularly reviewed.
People told us they felt safe living at Norlington Nursing home and staff talked knowledgably about the system for reporting any potential signs of abuse.
Staffing levels were maintained at the correct level to ensure people were cared for safely whilst maintaining and promoting their independence and wellbeing. Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home and felt well supported at all times. One member of staff said, “I feel safe and happy to work here.”
People’s medicines were managed safely, stored securely and administered by trained staff. People received assistance to take their medicines as prescribed.
People, staff and visitors to Norlington Nursing Home were protected from risks of infection as policies and staff practices were reflective of current best practice guidance. Staff had access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and the home was active in carrying out whole home testing in response to the coronavirus health risk.
There was an effective governance system in place. There were a variety of audits, policies, spot checks, systems and procedures to monitor the quality and safety of the service. These ensured a culture of continuous improvement and learning took place and highlighted any potential shortfalls to improve the safety and quality of care people received.
Staff felt well supported and spoke highly of the registered manager and management team. Staff were passionate, committed and motivated to delivering quality person-centred care to people.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published December 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
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.