Background to this inspection
Updated
22 July 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
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
Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Creedy Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Creedy Court is a care home without nursing care. 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
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 25 May 2022 and ended on 7 June 2022. We visited the office location on 25 May 2022.
What we did before inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We sought feedback from partner agencies such as Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We also used information gathered as part of monitoring activity which took place on 17 March 2022. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and communicated verbally without using any additional aids to help understanding. We observed four people who either didn’t want to speak with us, or were non-verbal and distressed at our presence, hence further communication was not attempted. We spoke with four relatives/friends about their experience of the care provided.
We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, the registered manager for another home in the provider group, the care team leader, and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
We sought feedback from two professionals.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, medication records including a more detailed look at those relating to two people. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly visit the service.
Updated
22 July 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
Creedy Court is a residential care home providing accommodation and/or personal care for up to 18 people, at the time of the inspection there were 15 people living there. 14 people received the regulated activity of personal care. The property is divided into separate living areas spread around a court yard. Within the overarching Creedy Court there are two annexes (each for one person) and two further sections of the building called Westleigh (for up to six people) and Eastleigh (for up to 10). Each section has separate bedrooms, bathrooms, lounges and eating areas. Therefore, people could spend time alone or with a few other people if they wanted to.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support
People had a choice about their living environment and were able to personalise their rooms. One person told us they loved where they lived, and were proud to show us their many personal possessions which were arranged as they liked them. The environment was organised so that they could be as independent as possible.
Staff enabled people to access specialist health and social care support in the community.
Although during the pandemic some activities ceased, they were beginning to start up again now. People were supported by staff to pursue their interests, for example, Tai Chi. Some people had contributed to painting a mural inside one of the buildings. Pottery art works made by people living at Creedy Court were well displayed on internal walls. Three people told us they were going out to do three different activities. Some people were moving freely around the property whilst accompanied and interacting with staff. Others were supported in keeping with their needs and preferred routines and having some time where staff were present but not actively interacting with them.
Right Care
People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs. One relative told us, “I would say they are extremely competent, loving and caring.” One person told us “They look after me. I can get fed up, but I like a chat with my staff friends.”
Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.
Right culture
People received good quality care, support and treatment because trained staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes.
Staff placed people’s wishes, needs and rights at the heart of everything they did.
One person told us, “I am very happy, I have a nice room and I love all the staff.” Friends and family told us “[Person’s name] is very happy at Creedy and is getting a good service” and “I’m really happy with how things are.”
People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs. One person enjoyed spending time in the office with staff. In response to their interest, they had their own photo ID work lanyard which they were keen to show us, and were clearly enjoying joining in the office atmosphere.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The last rating for this service was published 10 April 2019. Creedy Court was rated Requires Improvement overall, with Safe and Well-led rated as requiring improvement and Effective rated as Good. That is why, in this inspection, we only looked at Safe and Well-led.
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture. 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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.