Saffrons Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

Before the inspection we had been told that staff were not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in line with government guidance. On the inspection we observed staff wearing PPE appropriately. Staff told us they had always had access to enough PPE and had worn it as per government guidelines. Staff spoke to us about how the guidance had changed over the months and they had changed their practice accordingly. Staff had received Covid-19 specific training.

The home was clean and tidy throughout. Both the housekeeping team and care staff were responsible for ensuring high touch areas such as light switches and door handles were cleaned regularly. One staff member told us the cleaning was, “teamwork.” The registered manager and staff told us about the impact the Covid-19 outbreak had on people and staff. One staff member said, “I am proud of what we have achieved together to get through this.”

During the outbreak people remained in their bedrooms, there was guidance displayed around the home to support staff to look after people safely and prevent the spread of infection. This included designated areas for putting on and taking off (donning and doffing) PPE.

People were now free to move around the home as they wished. Staff supported them to do this safely and maintain social distancing by sitting apart from each other in the lounge and dining room but still enabling conversation.

People were supported to maintain contact with their family and friends through phone and video calls. There was information displayed for people in large print and easy read to help them keep up to date with Covid-19 news. Each person had a Covid-19 support plan and hospital passport to inform hospital staff of their care and support needs in case of hospital admission.

There were a range of infection prevention control (IPC) audits and risk assessments. These were regularly reviewed and updated and were available for staff.

Saffrons Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The home accommodates up to 20 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were 17 people living there. People were living with a range of needs associated with the frailties of old age. Some people were living with the early stages of a dementia type illness.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.

There were systems in place to assure quality and identify if any improvements to the service were needed. The registered manager and provider had good oversight of the service and what was needed to improve and develop the service. However, we found improvements were needed to people’s records in relation to ‘as required’ medicines and mental capacity assessments.

People were supported by staff who knew them well and treated them with kindness, respect and understanding. Staff understood people’s support needs and ensured care provided was person-centred and met people’s individual needs and choices.

People were enabled to make decisions and choices about what they did each day. They were involved in planning their own care and their dignity and privacy was respected. There was an activity programme which people enjoyed participating in as they wished.

Staff had a good understanding of the risks associated with the people they looked after. Risk assessments were in place and provided the guidance staff needed. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination.

People’s received their medicines when they needed them. Medicines were ordered, stored administered and disposed of safely. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed. Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the home.

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.

People’s health and well-being needs were met. They were supported to have access to healthcare services when they needed them. Staff were trained and supported to deliver care in a way that responded to people's needs

People’s nutritional needs were met. They had a choice of food and drink throughout the day. Discussions about meal choices and preferences were ongoing through resident meetings and feedback surveys. Systems were in place to gather feedback from people and staff and this was used to improve the service.

The registered manager was well thought of by people and their relatives. The registered manager and provider were supportive to staff.