Background to this inspection
Updated
11 February 2021
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 13 January 2021 and was unannounced.
Updated
11 February 2021
Drummond Court is a ‘care home’. 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 care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Drummond Court provides accommodation and personal care for up to 36 people who have learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service.
This unannounced inspection took place on 14 and 15 November 2017.
There were two registered managers in post when we inspected the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
We brought forward this inspection due to concerns of which we had become aware that had been reported to the local authority safeguarding service. These concerns included a person not having an appropriate lunch prepared for them when away from the service for the day, people having ill- fitting or were wearing other people’s clothes and looking unkempt and a two-way communication book used by Drummond Court staff and another service not being completed or sent with the person when attending another service. We spoke with the local authority safeguarding team and learnt that these concerns had not been substantiated by them and had been closed.
The overall rating of this service was Requires Improvement at our last inspection of 23 and 26 May 2016. The key questions Safe and Effective were rated as Requires Improvement. Care, Responsive and Well-led were rated as Good.
At this inspection we found the service had improved and is now rated ‘Good’ overall. There had been improvements made in the service. This included much clearer and robust moving and handling risk assessments being in place and staff knowing how to support people with regard to their moving and handling needs. Monitoring of medicine stocks had been increased and staff were knowledgeable about people’s medicines and why they had been prescribed. Staff were aware of people’s assessed needs including those people requiring support to manage their diabetes.
The care 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.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy
The staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the actions they would take if they suspected or witnessed any concerns about people’s safety. Risks were assessed and management plans were in place to minimise the risk to people’s safety while respecting their right to pursue interests of their choice. Medicines were managed safely and sufficient numbers of trained staff were deployed to meet people’s needs.
Staff had received infection control training and used this information for the storage of food and cleanliness of the accommodation.
The registered managers learned from incidents or accidents within the service and made the necessary improvements. They shared this information with the staff through supervision and staff meetings.
Staff were provided with a wide range of training appropriate to the various needs of the people living at the service. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People were provided with a healthy and well balanced diet and were encouraged to take part in the preparation of meals.
Other professionals worked with staff so that people had access to healthcare services and on-going healthcare support.
People were involved in the running of the service. They had been asked to give their views about the decoration of the premises and design of the garden area which had been implemented in line with their wishes.
People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the polices and systems in the practice support this practice.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. It was evident that positive relationships had developed between people and care staff. People expressed their views to staff about the support they required and their dignity and privacy were respected.
People’s health and social care needs had been appropriately assessed. Care plans were person-centred, detailed and specific to each person and their needs. Care preferences were clearly documented. People were supported to raise concerns.
Good leadership was in place. Staff spoke positively about the registered managers and the support they received. Staff viewed that the registered managers were approachable and would listen to suggestions made in how to improve the quality of care provided. Regular reviews of the quality of care were carried out and the service worked in partnership with other agencies for the benefit of the people living there.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.