Background to this inspection
Updated
7 July 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
Two inspectors carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
The Royal Elms is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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
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. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, the deputy manager, three care workers and the chef. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
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.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed the certificates for the electrical installation and for the passenger lift.
Updated
7 July 2021
About the service
The Royal Elms is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 19 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 26 people. The home is in one adapted building over two floors. People accessed their rooms via a stairwell or passenger lift. There are two communal lounges , a large dining room and an outside decked area.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The home was clean, and improvements had been made to the décor of the home and storage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Staff were aware of the latest guidance in relation to the pandemic and wore PPE when supporting people with personal care. Staff were recruited safely and staffing levels were sufficient. The registered manager had shared further information and training around safeguarding vulnerable adults and whistling blowing with staff. Staff felt confident to raise any concerns. The safety of the premises was maintained, and bathrooms had been refurbished. Medicines were given as prescribed.
Improvements has been made to the oversight and governance of the service. Audits highlighted areas for improvement. The registered manager ensured any concerning information was reported to the appropriate professionals. People felt involved in the positive changes in the home, such as the redecoration. It was evident the registered manager had been a key person in embedding and sustaining improvements across the home.
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 inadequate (published 8 December 2020) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
This service has been in Special Measures since 8 December 2020. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Royal Elms on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.