Sunnymede

Updated 4 November 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

Three inspectors visited the site. An Expert by Experience made phone calls to relatives during the inspection. 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

Sunnymede 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. Sunnymede 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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 four people in various levels of detail. We completed a range of observations including focussing on specific individuals. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager and 10 relatives were spoken with on the telephone. One visiting professional was spoken with.

We reviewed a range of records including nine care records and multiple medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision records. A variety of other records were reviewed on site relating to the management of the service including health and safety and quality files.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, policies and procedures and records relating to the care and support people received.

Updated 4 November 2022

Sunnymede is a residential care home providing personal care without nursing for up to 34 older people. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service. Most people had dementia and limited verbal communication. The home had recently been assigned some beds by the local authority for respite following a hospital stay. One person was currently at the home in relation to this.

The care home is over three floors of a converted Victorian style home. Bedrooms can be found on all floors. There are multiple communal areas on the ground floor including a living room, dining room and separate quiet lounge. The quiet lounge had also been converted to a visitor’s room during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

People were still not being supported by a staff team that had been through safe recruitment. This was despite a new system put in place by the provider. People were supported by enough staff to keep them safe. Although the fulfilment of their day was impacted by the provider’s struggle to employ an activities coordinator.

Improvements had been made since the last inspection in the quality auditing systems completed by the management. Quality assurance systems were now in place for a range of areas in the home. However, the system was not always being completed and analysed effectively.

Care plans and risk assessments were personalised. However, there were inconsistencies in the amount of detail provided.

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 were supported by kind and caring staff who respected them and knew them well. People could choose where to spend their day. Those in their bedrooms had access to a call bell.

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 26 March 2021). At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations except around recruitment of staff. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last five consecutive inspections.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

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 recruitment of new staff 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 work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.