We carried out a review of the data available to us about Woodlands Manor Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Woodlands Manor Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Woodlands Manor is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 55 people. There were 54 residents living at the home at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received a service that was safe. The registered manager and staff understood their roles and responsibilities to keep people safe from harm. People were supported to take risks, promote their independence and follow their interests. Risks were assessed and plans put in place to keep people safe. There were enough staff to safely provide care and support to people. Checks were carried out on staff before they started work to assess their suitability to support vulnerable people. Medicines were well managed, and people received their medicines as prescribed.
The service was effective in meeting people’s needs. Staff received regular supervision and training required to meet people’s needs. Arrangements were made for people to see a GP and other healthcare professionals when they needed to do so. People were supported to enjoy a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet whilst promoting and respecting choice. 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 place supported this practice.
During a brief tour of the home we were introduced to people who welcomed us. People were relaxed, comfortable and confident in their home. The feedback we received from people, relatives and staff was positive. Staff had a good awareness of individuals' needs and treated people in a warm and respectful manner. They were knowledgeable about people's lives before they started using the service. Every effort was made to enhance this knowledge so that their life experiences remained meaningful. People were supported to maintain their personal interests and hobbies. It was evident there was a person-centred approach to care.
The service was responsive to people’s needs. Staff monitored and responded to changes in people’s needs. They were offered a range of activities. Everyone was encouraged to make their views known and the service responded by making changes.
People benefitted from a service that was well led. The provider and whole staff team maintained a focus on seeking to improve the service people received. Quality assurance systems were in place and based upon regular, scheduled audits which identified any action required to make improvements. This meant the quality of service people received was monitored on a regular basis and, where shortfalls were identified they were acted upon.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection.
This service was registered with us on 21 March 2019 and this is their first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection in order to give the home a rating.
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.
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.
We were escorted safely throughout the whole home, we did not enter people’s bedrooms. We saw no evidence that staff were not wearing PPE during our visit. The registered manager, care manager and area manager were seen regularly around the home where they could observe staff practice.
The home was exceptionally clean. Housekeeping and laundry practices were overseen by the housekeeper, registered manager and care manager to check work had been completed to a satisfactory standard and that supporting records were maintained.
As part of this inspection the area manager carried out a home inspection and spoke to ten people who confirmed staff wore PPE. People were also satisfied with the homes cleanliness and spoke highly of the domestic team. The area manager observed staff wearing face masks and visors and wore full PPE when entering people’s bedrooms.
The area manager spoke with twenty staff individually to gain their personal views about the information raised with CQC and if they had any concerns or evidence to share. Quotes from staff included, “I have never seen this home dirty or unkempt”, “I think the home is clean and tidy and the staff are kind and caring” and “I have no issues or concerns with PPE or the cleanliness of the home”.
A ‘residents’ survey had been completed in November 2020 asking for people’s views. Questions were about Covid 19 and included, do you feel safe, have staff supported you with any concerns, is your room cleaned to a high standard and have you been updated on any changes that may affect you. All responses were positive in all aspects.
The area manager produced a report following the inspection visit and stated, “I have inspected all management audit’s on infection control and staff training records. All staff have completed their training in Infection Control and COVID 19 training”.
We found the following examples of good practice.
Prior to our visit we were informed of the procedures we should expect when visiting, this was the policy for all professionals arriving at the service. Professionals were asked not to visit the service if they displayed any symptoms related to Covid 19.
On our arrival we were greeted by the registered manager and had our temperature taken, we were asked to sanitise our hands and to wear the PPE given to us. Whilst we were in the office, we wore a mask and when we walked through the home to observe practice, we wore a visor as well. Everyone visiting provided contact details to support the track and trace system. Visitors were shown to the area of the home they were visiting, by the shortest and most direct route.
The emotional wellbeing of people and their families had been supported throughout the pandemic. The manager and staff ensured contact was maintained through various initiatives. They were sensitive to people’s feelings including anxiety, sadness and loss. Throughout the spring and summer garden visits were arranged by appointment. Procedures ran smoothly and designated staff were available if required whilst promoting privacy for people and their relative.
As the autumn winter season was approaching the provider had considered alternative visitor arrangements. An internal pod had been installed which had external access to help reduce entry to other parts of the home and reduce risk. A hearing loop system was due to be installed to assist communication between each other. Each person had been individually risk assessed to ensure visits were person centred. This would help ensure their visits were meaningful whilst maintaining their safety, meeting needs and respecting privacy. A designated member of staff was available should anyone require assistance, for example if they needed to use the bathroom facility.
For those people who were bedbound or receiving end of life care, potable Perspex screening was available so that family members could visit in people’s rooms. The robust visitor’s policy and procedure we previously mentioned would then be applied when wearing PPE.
All staff recognised their responsibility to protect the people they cared for and how crucial it was that when they were not at work, they respected and followed government guidelines to reduce their own exposure to risks. The registered manager was very proud of all staff and recognised and celebrated their efforts during the pandemic.
When people were admitted to the home, risk assessments were completed, and people were isolated for 14 days. Social distancing was encouraged throughout the home. Where this was not achievable, staff were aware of the need for enhanced cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and people were supported to wash their hands regularly.
There were clear policies, procedures and contingency plans in place. Audits were undertaken, and actions were taken to ensure improvements were made. Staff had received training and regular updates were provided. The manager and senior staff completed ‘spot checks’ of the environment. These were completed to check staff understanding and compliance with use of PPE and infection prevention and control practices. There was effective, supportive communication between the directors, area manager, registered manager, staff, people using the service and relatives.