Archived: Sutton in the Elms

Updated 18 December 2019

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector 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

Sutton in the Elms is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. 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

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before 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. 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the provider, registered manager, nurse, two care workers and a cleaner.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 18 December 2019

About the service

Sutton in the Elms is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 34 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 40 people.

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

People told us they felt safe and could approach staff if they had any concerns. Staff had received training and understood their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse and avoidable harm.

Risk was assessed and managed. People’s freedom and autonomy was respected and upheld. People were able to take informed risks and staff knew how to manage distressed behaviour and offer reassurance. Checks and routine maintenance was carried out on the premises and equipment used. Health and safety audits were carried out so that any risk could be identified and managed.

Staff knew how to reduce the risk of infection and had all the equipment they required such as gloved and aprons and appropriate cleaning products. People had their medicines in the right way and at the right time in the way they preferred.

Staff received the training and support they required to meet people’s needs. People said that staff were competent, approachable and friendly. People and staff had developed positive relationships.

People enjoyed their meals and had enough to eat and drink. Staff took action when nutritional risk was identified or people had specific nutritional needs. People had access to healthcare services and staff knew how to recognise deterioration in health and wellbeing. The service provided nursing care so there was a qualified nurse available.

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 were able to follow their chosen hobbies and interests. There were a range of activities which people enjoyed. People’s friend s and family were made welcome at the service. Complaints were taken seriously. Action was taken to resolve complaints and they were used as an opportunity to improve and learn.

People and staff praised the registered manager and said they were open, approachable and accessible. Audits were carried out to monitor the quality of the service. Action where this as required. People, relatives and staff were asked for their feedback about the service and this was used to make changes and improve.

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

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection we rated this service Good (report published May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.