Woodeaves Residential Care Home

Updated 13 April 2021

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 the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 19 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 13 April 2021

This comprehensive inspection took place on 4 and 7 February 2019 and was unannounced on the first day.

Woodeaves Residential Care Home (Woodeaves) 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 home is located in a residential area on the outskirts of Nantwich and covers three floors connected by a passenger lift, a stair lift and stairs. Communal facilities include two lounges and one dining room which are located on the ground floor. Woodeaves could accommodate up to 22 people. At the time of the inspection there were 20 people living at the home. This was because two of the rooms could be occupied on a shared basis but were currently occupied as single accommodation.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

There was a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People continued to receive a safe service. Processes were in place to minimise the risk of harm. Accidents and incidents were recorded and there was management oversight to identify emerging trends. Detailed risk assessments were completed and regularly reviewed. Safe recruitment practices were employed by the home. Medicines were managed and administered safely. People told us staff came quickly when they needed them and that there were sufficient staff to meet their needs.

Staff were aware of the need to report concerns in order to protect people from abuse. However, there had been a delay in reporting an allegation to management. This was brought to the attention of the deputy manager on the first day of inspection and the correct process was then followed.

People received a service that was not consistently effective. This was because mental capacity assessments were carried out routinely for all people living at Woodeaves, rather than in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This practice had been introduced as a requirement from a monitoring visit by the local authority and, although not appropriate, had not been questioned by the registered manager.

A person’s care plan had not been updated and was not reflective of their current needs which left them at risk of receiving care that was not effective. We observed there were long periods without staff interaction although they exhibited symptoms of anxiety. When we made the deputy manager aware of our concerns action was taken immediately to address whilst further liaison with a specialist team took place.

Staff received regular supervision and appraisal, their competency was regularly checked and they had access to a wide range of training.

The provider had introduced an electronic care management system since the last inspection. The registered manager informed us that there was still an element of “embedding in” for the most effective use. We saw that staff did not always carry the hand-held devices used for recording interventions at the point of delivery.

People continued to receive a service that was caring. People told us that staff were kind and gentle and we observed some caring and patient practice. The service had achieved a score of 9.8 out of ten from 33 reviews on a website which allows people who use, have used or have a relative who has used the service to leave a review. People were treated as individuals, treated fairly and without discrimination with consideration to religious and cultural beliefs. People communication needs were considered and recorded.

People continued to receive a service that was responsive. People’s needs were assessed before they came to live at Woodeaves to ensure they could be met. Each person had a personalised plan of care. People’s future wishes for end of life care were considered. People and relatives had been involved in these processes.

There was a process to receive and respond to complaints. No complaints had been recorded since 2014. “Informal” complaints, for example about laundry, which had not required a written response had not been recorded. The registered manager was to introduce a new recording system to ensure that there is an ongoing record of all complaints, concerns and compliments.

People had access to a range of activities. People told us that they were offered choice, for example about when to get up and/or go to bed. Although some people were happy with the frequency of baths or showers, some people identified a more structured approach.

People received a service that was well-led. The registered manager was supported by a deputy manager. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities of their registration with the CQC and had informed us about important events as required by law. The latest CQC rating was displayed within the home and on the provider’s website.

Records were well organised, readily available and securely stored. People living at Woodeaves, their relatives and staff could express their views in a variety of ways including surveys and meetings. We received some feedback that when concerns were raised, nothing had been done about them. Some staff were reluctant to raise issues for fear of repercussions. We discussed these comments with the registered manager during the inspection.

The registered manager and deputy manager were open to discussion and acted to address areas raised during the inspection, this promptly. The deputy manager demonstrated a genuine passion to continuously improve the service to deliver outstanding care.