Archived: Windsor Rest Home

Updated 20 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 20 April 2021

The inspection was carried out on 10, 11 January 2018. The first day of the inspection was unannounced and the second day was announced.

Windsor Rest Care Home provides accommodation with personal care for up to 13 older people. Staff provided personal care for older people who were frail or were diagnosed with dementia or mental health. The property was originally two separate houses and spanned two floors. A lift was available for people to travel between floors. There were 12 people living in the service when we inspected.

Windsor Rest Home was rated as good at the last inspection at this inspection we found the service remained Good

The registered manager was also an owner of the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the home is run.

At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 27 July 15 the service was rated as Good. At this inspection we found the service had remained good

People were assessed as individuals and staff had a very good understanding of how people’s care should be provided to maintain their safety, health and wellbeing. Risks were assessed within the home, both for individual people and for the wider risk from the environment. Staff understood the steps to be taken to minimise risk and report any new risks that they identified.

The registered manager had plans in place for PEEP (personal emergency evacuation plans) for each person living at the home. These were individual plans which gave information about how many staff would be needed to evacuate the person and what equipment should be used.

Incidents and accidents were recorded and checked by the registered manager to prevent these happening again and improve the home offered.

People were kept safe by staff who understood their responsibilities to protect people living with dementia and mental health illness. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how protecting people from abuse. The staff team had access to and understood the safeguarding policies of the local authority which they must follow. Staff understood what whistleblowing meant and all said they would report another member of staff if they believed they were abusing people in any way.

There were policies and procedures in place for the safe administration of medicines. Staff followed these policies and had been trained to administer medicines safely.

People had access to a range of health care professionals such as dentists, chiropodists and when required arrangements were made for people to attend outpatients appointments at the hospital. People also had access to GPs and their health and wellbeing was supported by prompt referrals and access to medical care if they became unwell. Staff had been trained to assist people to manage daily health challenges they faced from conditions such as diabetes and dementia.

Staff understood the challenges people faced and supported people to maintain their health by ensuring people had enough nutritious food to eat and sufficient drinks to maintain their hydration.

The home was welcoming and friendly, with people engaging easily with the people they lived with and staff. Staff provided friendly compassionate care and support. People were encouraged to do what they can for themselves to maintain their independence. Staff enabled people to participate in community life, both within the home and in the wider community.

The deputy manager was the appointed person for infection control. The home looked clean and there were no unpleasant odours. Staff wore appropriate PPE (personal proactive equipment) for example gloves and aprons when providing personal care. These were removed and disposed of correctly between each person they cared for.

Staff upheld people’s right to choose who was involved in their care and people’s right to refuse care and support. People were consulted and asked what they wanted to do each day. When entertainers came into the home people were made aware and could choose whether to take part.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care services. Restrictions imposed on people were only considered after their ability to make individual decisions had been assessed as required under the Mental Capacity Act (2005) Code of Practice. The registered manager understood when an application should be made. They had submitted applications however due to a back log these have not yet been approved.

The recruitment procedure was followed to ensure people were not put at risk from staff that had not undergone all the necessary checks. These checks made sure perspective staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. New staff were given an induction that included time to read the home policies and procedures. New staff who had previous experience were also observed providing care and the registered manager or deputy then signed a work book staff had completed to show they were competent giving various aspects of care. Staff new to care would undertake the Skills of Care, Care certificate.

Staff received supervisions, appraisals and training to assist them to provide good quality care and to develop their skills further.

The registered manager produced information about how to complain and this was seen displayed in the home. People were frequently asked if they were unhappy about anything in the home. People, families, health professionals and other regular visitors were sent a survey every six months to seek their opinions so, where possible, staff could improve the service they provide.