We carried out a review of the data available to us about Drummonds 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 Drummonds, you can give feedback on this service.
Drummonds is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 45 people. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection there were 34 people using the service.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People living at Drummonds care home and their relatives were kept up to date about the impact of COVID-19 on the service by the management team, and relevant policies and procedures were in place to prevent the spread of infection.
Staff had received training in infection control and ensured they put their training into practice.
People received their medicines safely and as prescribed by trained competent staff.
Staff had received training in safeguarding. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities in regard to safeguard people living in the service.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good 21 May 2018 (published )
Why we inspected
We undertook this targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns which we had received about the service these concerns included infection control and the dispensing of medication. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. The overall rating for the service has not changed following this targeted inspection and remains good.
CQC have introduced targeted inspections to follow up on a Warning Notice or other specific concerns. They do not look at an entire key question, only the part of the key question we are specifically concerned about.
Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection. This is because they do not assess all areas of a key question.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
Drummonds is a Care Home for adults with physical and learning disabilities and is situated in Feering, a village on the outskirts of the Essex county town of Colchester. The service has accommodation for up to 41 adults. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people living in the service. Most people have single rooms whilst others have been given a choice to share a large bedroom. The service has the following facilities communal bath/shower rooms, kitchen, four dining rooms and lounge, cinema room, video calling room, sensory room, enclosed garden and secured swimming pool with the latter located at the back of the care home and has suitable access and aiding equipment. There is also parking available at the service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
At the time of our inspection, the service did not have a registered manager, as the manager had been newly appointed and was due to have their registration interview with the Commission shortly after our inspection. We have since received confirmation that the manager has been successful in their registration. '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 a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People told us they felt safe due to the support being provided by the service. Their human rights were properly recognised, respected and promoted. The service worked hard to ensure that personalised and suitable arrangements were in place to ensure that people received appropriate care and support to meet their needs. Accident records were appropriately maintained and these were kept in line with data protection guidelines. The service continually looked at other ways in which it could improve people’s lives by empowering them to do as much as they could but maintaining their safety at all times.
In-depth induction programmes were provided for all new employees and a wide range of training modules were available for the staff team, many of which were essential components of individual learning and development plans. Training was also provided specifically around the needs of people who lived in Drummonds. Staff members we spoke with were knowledgeable about the needs of those in their care.
Records showed the staff team completed an exceptionally wide range of mandatory training modules and this was confirmed by staff members we spoke with. Regular supervision sessions and annual appraisals enabled members of the workforce to discuss their personal development and training needs with their line manager.
The dedication of the service, ensuring medication support for people was central to people’s wellbeing, meant that it had significantly changed some people’s lives in positive ways. Recruitment of staff was detailed and very robust including detailed work on immigration checks and safety checks of prospective staff members to ensure they were suitable to support people.
The service ensured that all staff knew the needs of the people they supported and treated them with dignity and respect. People’s healthcare needs were well managed and they had access to a wide range of healthcare professionals.
There was always sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Suitable arrangements were in place to ensure that staff had been recruited safely; they received opportunities for training and supervision. People were safeguarded from harm; Staff had received training in Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and had knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The manager was aware of how and when to make a referral. People had sufficient amounts to eat and drink to ensure that their dietary and nutrition needs were being met.
People were encouraged and empowered to share their views and opinions. Staff achieved this through using communication methods such as symbols, pictures and objects of reference. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were embedded in to practice so that the young people were able to take part in decision making as far as they were able to.
Equality, diversity and human rights were consistently considered and strategies implemented to promote anti-discriminatory practices. We observed the daily routines and practices within the home and found people were treated equally and their human rights were constantly being respected.
People were provided with the opportunity to participate and engage in activities of their choice, which met their needs. Relatives and people who used the service knew how to make a complaint and we felt reassured that all complaints would be dealt with and resolved efficiently and in a timely manner due to the service having a robust complaints system in place.
People received effective care that met their health needs. Staff understood and knew how to manage the young people's complex health conditions. Staff worked well with healthcare professionals to deliver their advice and programmes of support. Staff felt valued and were provided with the support and guidance to provide a high standard of care and support. There were systems in place to seek the views of people who used the service and their relatives and used their feedback to make improvements. Care plans were individualised to meet people’s needs. There were varied activities to support individual’s social care needs.
The management team told us they were continuously looking at ways to improve systems and processes as to stay in line with needs of people using the service and requirements of the regulations.
We found that Drummonds was constantly striving to improve and looking for innovative and creative ways to move the service forward. We found many distinctive characteristics of 'outstanding' evident. This was echoed by the consistent positive comments from those who lived in the service, the staff team and relatives.