Ridgeway Nursing Home

Updated 8 March 2023

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

This inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. 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

Ridgeway Nursing Home 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. Ridgeway Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who used the service and 12 relatives of people who used the service. We spoke with members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, nurses, care assistants, kitchen staff, domestic assistants and the activities co-ordinator. We spoke with 2 visiting health care professionals. We completed observations of communal areas. We reviewed a range of records including 6 people's care records, medication administration records and some records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed.

Updated 8 March 2023

About the service

Ridgeway Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 37 people. The service provides support to older people, including those with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service. The home accommodates people over 3 floors, with 2 being used at the time of inspection. There are communal spaces and quiet areas for people to use. People have access to a secure outdoor space.

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

The registered manager had worked hard to make significant improvements at the service and demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning. Robust governance systems were in place to ensure the registered manager had effective oversight of the service. Where areas for improvement were identified, these were discussed with relevant staff and acted on. There was a warm and welcoming atmosphere within the service and staff put people first. Feedback was encouraged and acted on and people, relatives and staff had different opportunities to share their views. Staff worked collaboratively with a range of professionals, which helped people to achieve good outcomes.

Staff were safely recruited. There were enough staff to meet people’s physical and emotional needs. Staff were able to support people safely because they had clear and up to date guidance on how to do so. People received their medicines as prescribed from kind and patient nurses who followed best practice medicine administration guidance. The service was clean and well-maintained. People were protected from the risk of abuse. Records relating to accidents and incidents at the service were recorded and reviewed regularly, so lessons could be learned when things went wrong.

Staff were suitably trained to carry out their roles. An online training platform was used which helped the registered manager oversee training compliance within the service and support staff to complete courses when training was due. The service worked well as a team, and with other organisations to provide joined up care for people. Where referrals to healthcare professionals were required, these were done in a timely manner and recommendations were followed. People liked the food at the service and had plenty to eat and drink.

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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received person-centred care, and staff knew people well. People had opportunities to get involved in activities and celebrate a range of events. There was a complaints policy in place which people knew about and complaints which had been raised were dealt with in line with this policy. Staff understood how to support people at the end of their lives.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 19 October 2021) and there were breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve governance, safe recruitment and staff training. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

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.