Background to this inspection
Updated
22 March 2022
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 COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 17 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service less than 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
22 March 2022
About the service
The Margaret Thatcher Infirmary provides accommodation for up to 68 people who require nursing or personal care within the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the Chelsea Pensioners. At the time of our inspection 58 people were living in the infirmary. The organisation also provided personal care to approximately 30 people who were living in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, known as the long wards. This was through their domiciliary care service. People who use the service are known as ‘pensioners’ and they usually move into the Royal Hospital Chelsea onto the long wards. Pensioners could then progress to the three wards within the infirmary if they are assessed to need more care due to frailty and healthcare needs. One of the wards specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service
People and their relatives were extremely positive about the caring and compassionate nature of the staff that supported them. One relative said, “The staff are wonderful and go over and above what I would have expected. They have built up a wonderful rapport with all the pensioners.”
People praised the support they received from their Captains of Invalids. They were responsible for people’s social welfare and wellbeing and people respected and trusted them due to a shared experience of military life.
People benefitted from an excellent variety of activities, events and trips out that were available to reduce social isolation, give meaning and purpose and enhance their wellbeing. People had an overwhelming sense of pride representing the Chelsea Pensioners.
The provider was externally recognised as providing outstanding care at the end of people’s lives. Relatives praised the care and support both they and their family members received at this sensitive and emotional time.
People had access to an on-site medical centre and GP, including a range of health and social care professionals. This ensured people received effective care and immediate referrals if their health deteriorated and also to help manage any long term health conditions.
People were cared for by dedicated and passionate staff who felt appreciated and privileged to support people who had served their country. Staff spoke positively about the working environment and the support they received to help provide high standards of care. One staff member said, “This is our own village in Chelsea and is a wonderful community. Listening to the stories of the pensioners is the best thing about working here.”
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. 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 inspection was Outstanding (published 29 November 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.