Yew Tree Holdings Limited

Updated 25 February 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 carried out 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

Yew Tree Holdings Ltd 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. Yew Tree Holdings Ltd 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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We asked the local Healthwatch for feedback. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. 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 spoke with 12 people who used the service and 4 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, senior care workers, care workers and domestic staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 25 February 2023

About the service

Yew Tree Holdings Ltd is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 26 people in one adapted building. The service provides support to people with varying needs, including dementia, diabetes and mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 26 people using the service.

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

People told us they felt safe and were well cared for. One person told us, “I see the staff every day. Everybody is very caring. If we aren’t well, we get looked after here.”

The assessment of individual risks had improved, and plans were in place to manage risks and prevent harm to people. Accidents and incidents were better recorded and monitored to prevent further incidents. People’s medicines were now managed well, so people could be assured they received their medicines safely.

People were protected from potential abuse by a staff team who were clear about their responsibilities to protect people. There were sufficient staff who were suitably skilled and trained to meet people’s needs. Robust recruitment processes were now in place, so safe choices of new staff were made. People were protected from infection by appropriate infection prevention and control measures.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People told us they were supported to make choices and decisions if they needed it.

People’s needs were now assessed and reviewed regularly, and care plans provided detailed guidance for staff that was person centred. People were happy with the food provided and their nutritional and hydration needs were met. Healthcare professionals were contacted quickly if people needed advice or treatment for health concerns.

People, relatives and staff were complimentary about the registered manager, describing her as supportive and approachable. People told us all staff were kind and caring and treated them well. A more robust system was in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Action was taken to learn lessons and continue to improve.

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 17 July 2021) and there were breaches of regulation. 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

We received concerns in relation to the management and leadership, people’s care and the cleanliness of the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only.

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.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Yew Tree Holdings Ltd 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.