Background to this inspection
Updated
16 June 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 visit was carried out by 2 inspectors and a medicines specialist advisor. A third inspector carried out calls to relatives after the visit.
Service and service type
St Christophers Care Home 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. St Christophers Care Home 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 a manager who had applied to be registered in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 4 May 2023 and ended on 25 May 2023. We visited the service on 4th May 2023
What we did before 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 6 people and 16 relatives and friends about their experience of the care provided to their family members. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the manager, regional manager, care and ancillary staff. We also spoke with other members of the management support team.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 7 people’s care records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
16 June 2023
About the service
St Christophers Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 168 people. The service provides support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia, in 5 purpose-built buildings. At the time of our inspection there were 62 people using the service. Only 3 buildings were in use at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service had monitoring processes to help drive improvement. Quality assurance systems identified areas that needed further development and remedial actions were implemented. However, while the team were making improvements, more time was needed to ensure this practice was consistent and embedded in all units and with all staff.
People felt they were safe and well supported by the service. Individual risks were assessed, and staff were aware of these. Reviews of events and accidents were carried out and actions needed were carried out. Medicines were managed well, there were some areas of recording to improve upon, and staff knew how to report any concerns about a person’s safety or welfare. People told us there was enough staff to meet their needs. Better deployment on 1 of the 3 units was needed and this was discussed with the management team who took action to address it. Staff communicated well to ensure needs were met in a timely way. Infection control was managed well.
Staff received appropriate training for their role and people felt they had good knowledge and skills. Staff felt supported by the provider and management team. People and most relatives told us staff assisted them with eating and drinking as needed and respected their preferences and choices.
People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring, they were happy living at St Christophers Care Home. Interactions observed were very positive, staff responded to people in a way that anticipated their needs and demonstrated they knew people well. All observations found staff to be attentive and caring about the people they supported.
Staff enjoyed working at the home and wanted to ensure people were happy and well cared for. Care plans included all information needed to support people safely and in accordance with their wishes and preferences. These were reviewed regularly. Some of these plans needed to be rewritten as were difficult to read. This was carried out following our visit.
People, some relatives and staff felt their views about the service were sought but some relatives felt this could be done more often. People and staff told us that the manager was often around the home checking on how they were and how staff were working, offering guidance and support.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 25 August 2022).
Why we inspected
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.
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about management of risks and governance, staff training and records. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well led sections of this full report.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for St Christophers Care Home 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.