Archived: Charnwood

Updated 21 March 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 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience who made phone calls to relatives of people who used the service. 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

Charnwood 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. Charnwood is a care home with 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 not a registered manager in post. However, since the inspection the new manager has now completed their registration process to become the registered manager.

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. We used this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people and 11 relatives of people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 8 members of staff including the manager, the regional manager, senior care assistant, care assistant, housekeeping staff and maintenance.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 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 21 March 2023

About the service

Charnwood is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 88 people. The service provides support to people over the age of 18. At the time of our inspection there were 35 people using the service. The home is split across two floors with a large garden to the rear.

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

People and their relatives told us they felt safe. People received their medicines in a timely and safe manner by competent staff who were trained who knew them well. Staff were recruited safely, and a comprehensive dependency tool ensured there was always the right amount of staff with the appropriate mix of skills to support people safely.

Staff were trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding issues and knew how to report concerns, this ensure people remained safe from harm and abuse. Staff confirmed they always received feedback and support from the manager with any concerns they raised.

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 new manager had reviewed and updated care plans. People’s needs were assessed, and care was delivered in line with people’s wishes. Staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and supported people effectively and safely with the appropriate use of best interest decisions where they lacked capacity. Records showed and relatives told us they had been included in this process.

Care plans were person centred and reviewed on a monthly basis or as people’s needs changed. People and their relatives told us they were included in this process and staff were knowledgeable about their wishes and choices. People were supported to attend social events and groups that were important to them as well as daily group activities being offered.

People told us the service was well led, actively engaged with them, and sought their views. Relatives we spoke with supported this and told us management were open and transparent and responsive to feedback. Management and staff were clear about their roles, responsibilities and continuously looked for ways to develop and improve the service and the level of care provided.

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 4 November 2019) 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

This inspection was prompted by information received by the local authority who identified the service as making significant improvements. As a result, we undertook an unannounced focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective, responsive 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 based on the findings of this inspection.

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