Archived: Deerplay Care Home

Updated 8 October 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 associated 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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Deerplay Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The provider is registered with the Care Quality Commission and they also act as the manager. This means they are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed all the information we held about the service including statutory notifications the service had sent and feedback we had received. We contacted the local authority, environmental health and Healthwatch for additional information and feedback. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who lived in the home, one relative and one staff member who supported us in the absence of the manager.

We carried out a tour of the premises and reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision.

After the inspection

We contacted the provider after the site visit to obtain further information and he told us he intended to give immediate notice to the council to close the home. People were being transferred to new accommodation and as a consequence we were unable to obtain all the information that we would normally require.

Updated 8 October 2021

About the service

Deerplay Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 9 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 15 people. The home is a converted chapel set in its own grounds. Accommodation is provided in single rooms.

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

People and relatives were generally positive about the service and felt they were well cared for. Health and safety risks had not been addressed appropriately. There were issues relating to the environment and we found the lift had previously been broken for 6 months and mandatory inspections had not taken place.

People did not always have their risks and needs accurately assessed in relation to their behavioural needs. Staff did not have access to appropriate guidance in managing these risks effectively. People’s medicines were generally managed safely, although we identified shortfalls in the storage of prescribed creams.

We received mixed feedback about the food. We have made a recommendation that the service review the menu to ensure that it meets the nutritional needs and preferences of the people living at the service

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. However, the care staff were also responsible for cleaning and some meal preparation. Following on from our last inspection the provider had agreed to advertise for a cleaner, but this had not materialised. The home was clean and staff followed safe infection control practices.

Recruitment was being managed safely. There were systems in place to record when accidents and incidents took place.

The service worked in partnership with external services appropriately. People's views were sought about the service. People told us the staff were lovely and we observed positive interactions between staff and residents.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published November 2020).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the environment and that there may be a closed culture at the service. This means a poor culture that can lead to harm, including human rights breaches such as abuse. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.

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.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection.

The provider made a decision to close the home following the on site visit and at the time of writing this report all residents had been moved from the service to alternative homes in the local area.