Whitehaven Care Home

Updated 14 May 2022

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 team was made up of one inspector and one 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

Whitehaven Care Home 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. Whitehaven Care Home 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

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 the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We reviewed documents relevant to the running of the service including audits, health and safety checks and three recruitment files. We spoke with 13 people and two relatives about their experiences of care. We observed the day to day running of the service. We spoke with six staff, including the nominated individual, registered manager, senior carer and care staff.

The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 14 May 2022

About the service

Whitehaven Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 23 people. The service provides support to older people, people with a physical disability, sensory impairment, dementia and mental health requirements. At the time of our inspection, there were 22 people using the service.

Whitehaven Care Home is a former domestic property laid out over two floors. Each floor provides bedroom accommodation, and communal bathrooms and toilets. The ground floor offers communal dining areas and lounges. There is level access to the garden and at the time of this inspection, the registered manager’s office was located on the ground floor.

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

Although improvements had been made since our last inspection, we found improvements were still needed to ensure a consistent approach to infection prevention and control (IPC), risk assessment, and management. There were processes in place to share potential safeguarding concerns with the local authority safeguarding team. We received mixed comments about staffing levels.

We found improvements had been made since our last inspection, and people now received care that was effective. Peoples’ needs were assessed, and care was provided in line with their assessed needs and choices. Some staff had not completed their required training or supervision; the registered manager was aware of these requirements and working to improve compliance.

People were supported towards the end of their lives and care plans reflected peoples’ individual communication requirements. People were supported to maintain relationships with loved ones and the registered manager was working with the provider to improve activities provision.

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.

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 April 2019). The service remains rated requires improvement. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last two consecutive inspections.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about medicines management and staffing levels. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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 have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

In response to our feedback during the inspection, the registered manager acted immediately to rectify some of the shortfalls we found, for example updating protocols for ‘as required’ medicines and covering radiators in communal areas.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

For the key question not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Whitehaven Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.