Background to this inspection
Updated
19 March 2022
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 how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 14 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service approximately 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
19 March 2022
Pennystone Court is registered to provide personal care for 36 people. The home is purpose built and is constructed on two floors comprising of 36 single occupancy rooms. The ground floor is designated to provide care for people living with dementia. All rooms are en-suite providing toilet and bathing facilities. Communal areas consist of a lounge and dining room on each floor.
At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
We observed staff providing support to people throughout our inspection visit. We saw they were kind and patient and treated people with dignity and respect.
People who lived at the home and their visitors told us they were happy with the care provided. Comments received included, “The care is wonderful. The staff are very nice and knowledgeable.” And, “I cannot fault the staff and the care I receive. It’s lovely here.”
The service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.
Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.
Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs. During the inspection we observed three staff members attending manual handling training.
The service had sufficient staffing levels in place to provide support people required. People told us staff were responsive and available when they needed them.
Medication procedures at the home were safe. Staff responsible for the administration of medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required. Medicines were safely kept with appropriate arrangements for storing in place.
We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.
The design of the building and facilities provided were appropriate for the care and support provided.
The service had safe infection control procedures in place and staff had received infection control training. Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
Staff knew people they supported and provided a personalised service in a caring and professional manner. Care plans were organised and had identified care and support people required. We found they were informative about care people had received.
People told us they were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. We saw regular snacks and drinks were provided between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration.
We saw people had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met. The service had responded promptly when people had experienced health problems.
People told us staff were caring towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of high standards of care to give people meaningful lives.
People’s care and support was planned with them. People told us they had been consulted and listened to about how their care would be delivered.
The service had information with regards to support from an external advocate should this be required by them.
The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.
The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits and relative surveys to seek their views about the service provided.