Background to this inspection
Updated
19 May 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
The inspection was completed by 1 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
The Chase 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. The Chase is a care home without 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 used all this information to plan our 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.
During the inspection
We spoke with 12 people and relatives about their experiences of the service. We spoke with 5 staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and 3 care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people’s care records, medication records and 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including checks and audits were reviewed. 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.
Updated
19 May 2023
About the service
The Chase is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 31 people. The service provides support to older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 30 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy living at The Chase, they told us they felt safe and staff were kind and caring. Everyone we spoke with told us they would recommend the service to others. People were supported to remain independent.
The service had continued to improve. Medicines records were complete and checks and audits had been effective in identifying and addressing shortfalls.
Risks to people had been identified and action had been taken to keep them as safe as possible. Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. Lessons had been learnt when things went wrong and action had been taken to reduce the risk of them happening again. Staff knew how to identify and report any safeguarding concerns. Staff had been recruited safely. The service was clean, and staff followed safe infection control processes.
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, their relatives and staff were asked for their views of the service and the provider acted on feedback received. The provider had a continuous improvement plan in operation and areas of the service had been developed since our last inspection. Staff felt supported by the leadership team.
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 29 April 2022). 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.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. 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.
We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service on 6 April 2022. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve medicines management and checks and audits.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for The Chase on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.