Elton Hall Care Home

Updated 5 February 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 27 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 5 February 2022

About the service

Elton Hall Care Home is registered to provided accommodation and personal care for up to 70 people, although the layout of the home has been changed and can now accommodate 63 people. At the time of our inspection 49 people were living at the home. Elton Hall provides accommodation and personal care to older people, people with dementia and younger adults with mental health needs.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Feedback from people and relatives was overwhelmingly positive. They consistently praised the exceptional caring and supportive nature of the staff at Elton Hall. People told us it was the support of staff that had increased their confidence and wellbeing.

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. Staff were knowledgeable of the Mental Capacity Act and how it may impact on people. However, best interest decisions were not always recorded appropriately. We made a recommendation about this.

People and their relatives experienced a positive and inclusive approach to care and were encouraged to give their feedback to help improve the home. The staff worked with outside professionals to improve people's health and social wellbeing.

People told us they felt safe and secure and well cared for. People were safe because the registered manager had good systems for monitoring risk and staff had a good understanding of people's needs and how to keep them safe. People and relatives told us there was enough staff on duty to meet their needs and they did not need to wait when they called for support. People were supported to take their medicines safely.

The home was clean and the environment was kept safe. Some relatives felt parts of the home were tired looking but it was functional, and the care was 'fantastic'. Refurbishment works were underway to re-decorate the home.

People received care that was tailored to their needs and wishes. This was provided by caring, attentive and compassionate staff. The atmosphere of the home was positive, very welcoming, warm, and inclusive with friendly staff providing care and support in a way people liked and enjoyed. Positive interactions took place between people, staff and each-other throughout our visit. People had their privacy, dignity and confidentiality observed by staff, and they were encouraged and supported to be independent.

The registered manager ensured current legislation and best practice tools were used to provide care and support for people that was safe, effective, caring and responsive. There was a clear drive for continuous improvement.

People were placed at the centre of the home and were genuinely involved in relation to all decisions about their care and the home.

Staff told us they worked well together as a team, and there was good morale amongst them.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was good (published 19 May 2017).

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.