Clover Cottage

Updated 3 September 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 24 August 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 3 September 2020

This inspection took place on 4 July 2018. We gave the provider 36 hours’ notice of the inspection to make sure the registered manager would be available to assist with the inspection. The last inspection of the service was in December 2015 when we rated it as good for effective, caring, responsive and well-led and requires improvement for safe. There was one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 related to safe care and treatment. At the inspection in July 2018 we found that the provider had made improvements to meet the regulations.

Clover Cottage is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for 14 older people. At the time of our inspection 13 people were using the service. Some people were living with the experience of dementia and the service also supported people at the end of their lives. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Clover Cottage Limited is a private company and Clover Cottage is the only service the company runs. The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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. The

manager registered with the CQC in March 2017.

The provider had systems and practices to keep people safe from abuse. Staff had been trained to keep people safe and they knew what to do if they had any concerns.

There were enough staff to meet people’s care needs and the provider carried out checks to make sure they only employed staff who were suitable to work with people using the service.

People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Care staff worked with local services to make sure people’s health care needs were met in the service.

The provider, registered manager and care staff protected people by the prevention and control of infection.

Staff had the training and support they needed to meet people’s needs.

The service provided varied and nutritious meals that people told us they enjoyed. Drinks were provided to make sure people were hydrated, especially during periods of hot weather.

The provider and registered manager worked with local health and social care services to make sure people received effective care, support and treatment.

The premises were appropriately maintained and provided a good standard of comfortable and homely accommodation. The provider had started work to provide additional bedrooms and improved communal areas.

Care staff sought people’s consent before providing care and support. The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were not deprived of their liberty unlawfully.

People using the service and their relatives told us staff were kind, caring and treated them with respect. Staff we spoke with were passionate about their work and motivated to provide people with the best possible standards of care and support.

The care and support staff provided was appropriate to people's needs and enhanced their well-being. Staff were patient and discreet when providing care for people.

People using the service and their relatives told us people were well supported and their needs were met. The registered manager assessed people’s care needs before they moved in to the service and used their assessments to develop an individual care plan for each person.

Care staff had good relationships with people and spoke knowledgeably about their individual care and support needs. The provider, registered manager and care staff supported people at the end of their life to have a comfortable, dignified and pain-free death.

The provider had systems for recording, investigating and responding to any complaints they received.

People using the service and their relatives told us they felt it was well-managed. Care staff also commented positively on the way the service was managed.

People using the service, their relatives and professionals were encouraged and supported to give their views on the care and support people received.

The provider and registered manager had procedures in place to monitor quality in the service and make improvements.