We carried out a review of the data available to us about Westy Hall Residential Care 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 Westy Hall Residential Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice
Family members spoke positively about the service and how risks associated with COVID-19 had been managed in order to keep people safe. One family member told us “I think they [staff] have done really well throughout it all. It’s been very very hard for them. One staff member didn’t go home for weeks at the start of the pandemic, she literally just stayed there.” The registered manager and staff regularly communicated with family members to keep them informed of any important changes; particularly in relation to COVID-19.
Staff had received training in relation to infection prevention and control and were observed following current guidance in the use and disposal of PPE. The registered manager carried out regular spot checks and observations on staff to observe their practice.
Staff and people were supported to access regular COVID-19 testing and the provider had systems in place to ensure they followed current guidance in relation to COVID-19 vaccinations for staff and visiting professionals.
People were supported to maintain regular contact with family members through visits and other forms of communication. Systems were in place to prevent visitors from catching and spreading infections.
Westy Hall Residential Care Home is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 the inspection. The service was registered to accommodate 39 people. At the time of the inspection 38 people were receiving support.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
At our last inspection in June 2018, we found the home was in breach of regulations in relation to ‘premises and equipment’ and ‘good governance’. During this inspection we found the service was no longer in breach of these regulations.
People told us that they were happy with the support they received. There was a friendly atmosphere. We observed kind and compassionate interactions between staff and people receiving support.
People using the service had access to a choice of menu’s and received wholesome and nutritious meals that were well presented and took into consideration each person's dietary needs.
People told us they had enjoyed activities and events that had been organised over the previous months, however they told us they would like to see a lot more going on that they could enjoy daily. A programme of activities was in place however; some people reported that they would like to see improvements in this area. We have made a recommendation about developing activities to meet the needs of people living with dementia.
Some areas of the building showed signs of wear and tear within the environment. A programme of maintenance and redecoration was in place. We have made a recommendation to develop the environment with the needs of people with cognitive impairments in mind.
Each person had an individualised care plan. People's need’s and wishes were assessed and recorded as part of their ongoing assessment. Staff were familiar with people’s likes, preferences and wishes and positive relationships had developed between staff and people receiving care.
Staff were well trained in various topics appropriate to their role. They were knowledgeable in how to safeguard people from the risk of harm and abuse and were well trained in safely managing people’s medications.
A complaints policy and process was also in place to ensure concerns and complaints were listened to and acted upon. The manager developed a simpler version following the inspection for people to use.
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.
The provider had a quality assurance system in place that included seeking the views of people who used the service and their representatives. Action plans were in place which confirmed any feedback received was listened to and acted upon.
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 1 August 2018); there were two 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 improvements had been made and the provider was not in breach of regulations. The service had improved to a good rating.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
This was the first inspection of Westy Hall Residential Care Home following a change of service provider.
Westy Hall Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’ run by Croftwood Care (Cheshire) Limited. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The care home is two-storey building that is situated in a housing estate in the village of Latchford in Warrington. It is located close to bus routes, local shops and other public amenities.
The care home accommodates up to 39 older people in one adapted building. Ten of the places provide accommodation and care for people living with dementia within a separate unit. At the time of our inspection, the care home was accommodating 36 people.
The home had a Registered Manager. 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.
During our inspection we found breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 in respect of governance and premises and equipment. The registered provider had not consistently maintained an accurate, complete and contemporaneous record in respect of people using the service and care plans and supporting documentation were therefore in need of review.
Furthermore, the registered provider had not maintained parts of the building to a satisfactory standard. For example, a number of the double glazing windows had failed, which looked unsightly and obscured the vision of people living in the care home. The communal carpets on the ground floor were also stained and in need of replacement. Other parts of the home were also in need of refurbishment or maintenance. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.
We noted that creams were accessible in the bedrooms of people living with dementia and have therefore recommended that this practice be reviewed to include updating care plans and risk assessments to address this matter. This will help to safeguard the wellbeing of people using the service.
People spoken with during the inspection told us that they were cared for appropriately by staff and confirmed they were treated with dignity and respect. We observed positive interactions between staff and people living in the home and noted that staff were attentive to people’s needs.
Systems had been established to ensure that staff working in the care home had been correctly recruited and to safeguard people from abuse or harm. A complaints policy and process was also in place to ensure concerns and complaints were listened to and acted upon.
Staff had access to induction, mandatory and service specific training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. Progress in completing training was also monitored by the registered manager and the provider.
Staff had an understanding of the systems in place to protect people who could not make decisions and followed the legal requirements outlined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People were supported to attend healthcare appointments and staff liaised with their GP and other healthcare professionals as necessary to maintain people’s health or support them at the end of life.
People using the service had access to a choice of menu and received wholesome and nutritious meals that were well presented and took into consideration each person’s dietary needs.
The provider had a quality assurance system in place that included seeking the views of people who used the service and their representatives. Action plans were in place which confirmed any feedback received was listened to and acted upon.
A programme of activities was in place however some people reported that they would like to see improvements in this area. This feedback was shared with the registered manager who assured us that she would discuss the provision of activities further with people using the service.
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