We carried out a review of the data available to us about Charlie Ratchford Court on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Charlie Ratchford Court, you can give feedback on this service.
Charlie Ratchford Court is an extra care service, with 38 flats in a single larger building. The service was currently providing personal care to five people.
Not everyone that used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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 and the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People’s safety was promoted because the service assessed, monitored and managed their safety well. Potential risks that people may face had been identified and assessed when people began to use the service. However, there was a lack of clarity about how frequently these risk assessments should be reviewed.
The service had enough staff to cater for the needs of people currently using the service. Pre-employment checks had been carried out for care staff. These checks helped to ensure only suitable applicants were offered work with the service.
People received their medicines safely. One person required prompting to take medicines but could then administer these themselves. These prompts were recorded on medicines administration records [MAR] to show medicine had been taken.
People were protected from the risks associated with poor infection control because the service used effective infection, prevention and control measures. Personal protective equipment, for example face masks, gloves and hand sanitiser, was provided in suitable quantities to staff for use as and when required. Guidance for staff and training was provided and staff were assessed to ensure these measures were maintained.
The service completed an assessment of each person’s needs and personal wishes about how they were cared for and care plans included guidance about meeting these needs.
There was a process in place to report, monitor and learn from accidents, incidents or other significant events that occurred. No significant events had taken place although the registered manager told us if any events did occur these would be documented in line with the service’s policy and guidance.
There was an effective training system in place. People were supported by staff who had received relevant induction training in evidence-based practice and a programme of refresher training was being established.
People’s nutritional needs were met. No one using the service required support to eat but some did require help to prepare meals. Staff had taken steps to make sure people’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and met. People also had the option of eating in the café of the building on the ground floor if they wanted to.
People’s health needs were met. One person was assisted by staff to attend medical appointments and other people were either independent in arranging their healthcare or received practical assistance from staff when needed.
Staff respected people’s choices, including those relevant to protected characteristics, for example, due to disability, cultural or religious preferences.
Governance and oversight processes were effective and helped to assess, monitor and check the quality of the service provided 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
This is the first inspection of the service. This service was registered with us on 08/09/2021.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.