We carried out a review of the data available to us about Aldridge Court Nursing Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Aldridge Court Nursing Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Aldridge Court Nursing Home is a care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 59 people who are frail or are living with dementia. On the day of the inspection, 42 people were receiving support.
People’s experience of using this service:
People received safe care. People were supported safely and there were enough staff to keep them safe. The provider had recruitment systems in place to ensure only appropriate staff were appointed to support people. Where people were administered medicines, this was carried out as it was prescribed. Staff had access to appropriate equipment in line with the provider’s infection control procedures. Risk assessments were in place to identify how risks were managed and where accidents and incidents took place, trends were monitored.
People received effective care. Staff had the knowledge and skills they needed to support people how they wanted. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People decided what meals they had to eat and could access drinks when needed so they did not dehydrate. People could access health care professionals when needed with the support from staff.
People received support that was caring, compassionate and kind. People told us they decided how staff supported them. Staff were respectful of people’s privacy, dignity and independence.
People received support that was responsive to their needs. Assessments and care plans were carried out to ensure the support people received was what they wanted. There was a complaints process in place which people used to raise concerns.
The service was not always well led. The registered manager demonstrated a good understanding of the service and had plans in place to improve the service people received. Communication between the service and people was good. Audits and spot checks were carried out, but there were concerns as to their effectiveness. The provider was unable to evidence how they ensured the service quality was maintained. Questionnaires and resident meetings were used to engage with people and the information gathered was analysed to make improvements to the service.
Rating at last inspection:
Rated Good (Report published 18/03/2016).
Why we inspected:
This was a planned comprehensive inspection.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The inspection took place on 6 and 7 January 2016 and was unannounced. At the last inspection completed on 3 October 2013 the provider was meeting all of the regulations required by law.
Aldridge Court Nursing Home is a service that provides accommodation, personal care and nursing care for up to 59 older people. At the time of the inspection there were 43 people living at the service with a range of needs including people who are living with dementia. There was a registered manager in post. 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 felt safe living at the service. Staff knew how to identify potential signs of abuse and how to report concerns if they arose. Risks to people were identified and managed without putting unnecessary restrictions on their independence. People received their medicines on time and as prescribed. Medicines were stored safely and securely.
The registered manager ensured that there were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs. People were protected from potential harm by processes and procedures that ensured staff were suitable to work in a nursing home. Staff were supported in their work and had the skills and knowledge required to support people effectively.
People’s day to day health needs were met and people had access to healthcare professionals when needed. People enjoyed the food and drink they received and any special dietary requirements were met.
People’s human rights were upheld by staff members who ensured that the appropriate consent was sought from people when they provided care and support. People’s dignity, privacy and independence was respected and promoted by staff. Staff were caring and ensured people who lived at the home felt valued and important.
The care people received met their individual needs and preferences. Staff understood people’s needs and communicated any changes in their needs effectively. People had access to a wide range of leisure opportunities. They were also supported to maintain relationships that were important to them. People knew how to make a complaint and felt that their concerns had been listened to and responded to appropriately.
People and staff spoke highly of the management team and were involved in the development of the service. Systems were in place across the service in order to improve the service and quality of care received by people. The registered manager was developing systems to ensure that all paperwork was updated in a timely manner and reflected the care people received.
We saw that care plans were individualised and personal. We saw that people were able to express their personal preferences and have their rooms arranged as they wanted. One person told us: 'I rearranged my room the way I want it'. People's personal choices were respected.
We saw that the dining rooms were nicely presented with clean table clothes and flowers at meal times. The dining experience included a choice of wine with lunch and dinner for people who wanted a glass of wine with their meal. One person told us: 'They poach eggs beautifully'. Another person told us: 'There is always a choice'.
We saw that the home was clean and tidy throughout. One visitor told us: 'It's always this clean here; there is never an unpleasant smell'.
When we last visited we had concerns about how staff were supported. At this inspection we saw that this had improved. Staff were able to access the training they had previously had to wait for. One member of staff told us: 'I feel valued now".
We saw that the home had a complaints procedure available in the reception area of the home. One relative told us: 'I have never needed to make a complaint. I can tell the staff about anything and they sort it for me straight away'.
We found that people were involved in activities throughout the day and that there was involvement with the local community. One resident told us, "We have asked them for a mini bus, so that we can get out more".
We found that care plans were personal and individualised. One relative told us, "The care is lovely here." Another relative told us, "I have been very involved in the plans for my relative's care. They take notice of what we want".
We found that medicines were appropriately ordered, stored and given. We were told, "You can always find someone even when the nurse is busy on a drugs round".
We had some concerns with the support that staff received to do their jobs. We were told, "We do have appraisals and reviews but they are rolled into one and don't happen very often".
We found that the home had processes in place to audit most aspects of care provided and the running of the home. We were told by one relative, "They really take notice of what we write on those cards. They do things about our comments".