Queens Court

We found the following examples of good practice.

Visitors were restricted during the current outbreak of Covid-19. All visitors were required to have their temperature checked and undertake a Lateral flow test before they could access the building. Family members were able to visit people in exceptional circumstances (failing health) and full PPE was provided to them for the length of their visit.

Clear signage outside of the home provided visitors and relatives with expectations on what they would need to do prior to entering the home.

Staff were required to have a Lateral flow test prior to each duty shift, in addition to weekly testing. Any staff who received a positive result were required to have a further PCR test and self-isolate for the required time.

The service had good supplies of PPE. This was readily available at the entrance and around the building. There were areas for donning and doffing PPE and clinical waste bins were provided for disposal. Hand sanitiser was available throughout the building. We observed some improvements could be made regarding the use of PPE by staff who were leaving and re-entering the building. The provider has responded to our feedback.

People were encouraged to remain in their rooms and communal areas had been made inaccessible. We found there was some additional learning required for senior staff on the development of the rota to ensure the deployment of staff minimised the risk of spreading the virus. We provided feedback to the provider prior to our visit and were able to confirm appropriate action had been taken when we attended the home.

At the time of the inspection the home was closed to new admissions due to the outbreak status. However, prior to this there was a procedure in place to ensure people were admitted safely. All new residents had a test prior to admission and were required to self-isolate for the required timeframe.

The home was supported by a team of domestic staff who had implemented an enhanced cleaning schedule to include frequently touched areas. Additional sanitisation facilities were also available to domestic staff.

People’s health was monitored each day using a nationally recognised tool to help identify any changes in health or well-being. People’s care plans were updated with any changes in their health in a timely manner.

Risk assessments for both people and staff were completed. Each person had a Coronavirus care plan in place. These detailed how the person should be supported to prevent them from exposure to the virus. Any accidents and incidents were monitored.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the service. This consisted of bi-monthly auditing by a regional quality lead and the registered manager was required to complete regular audits within the home.

• The service met characteristics of Good in all areas.

• People, relatives and other stakeholders told us the quality of care and support had significantly improved over the past 12 months since the new provider had taken over the running of the service.

• The service employed and rostered safe levels of staff on duty. The service planned to recruit more nursing staff at night to reduce the use of agency staff and improve continuity of care. We saw this plan was underway.

• The service had safe systems around safeguarding and risk assessment and implemented the least restrictive principle to promote people’s safety and rights.

• People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring. They could express their views about the service and provide feedback.

• Staff received appropriate training and support to enable them to perform their roles effectively.

• People's care was personalised to their individual needs. There was sufficient detail in people's care documentation that enabled staff to provide responsive care.

• The service provided a variety of activities in line with people’s interests and encouraged people’s involvement. People, relatives and social care professionals told us staff engagement and interaction had a positive effect upon people’s quality of life.

• The environment was comfortable and was adapted to meet people’s needs.

• Management and staff demonstrated a good understanding of and response to people’s diverse needs.

• The service had processes in place to measure, document, improve and evaluate the quality of care.

• More information is in the full report.

Rating at last inspection:

The service was registered by CQC with a new provider on 29th December 2017. This was the first inspection visit to the service under the new provider.

About the service:

Queens Court is a care home with nursing is a residential care home that provides personal and nursing care for up to 60 people. At the time of the inspection 48 people were using the service. The property is comprised of three floors and the new provider had made changes to the type of care being delivered on each floor. A new dementia suite was developed on the second floor in August 2018, the first floor is specific to people requiring nursing care, and the ground floor is dedicated to residential care.

Why we inspected:

This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care. Further inspections will be planned for future dates.