Archived: Cheriton Care Home

Updated 8 April 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

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

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. Due to technical problems, we did not receive a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and nine people’s relatives. We spoke with the deputy manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

After the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager and four members of staff. We reviewed three staff recruitment folders and complaints recorded by the service.

Updated 8 April 2022

About the service

Cheriton Care Home is registered to provide accommodation to a maximum of 45 people who require nursing or personal care, or treatment of disease, as a result of disorder or injury. At this inspection 27 people were living there, some of whom were living with dementia.

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

Risks to people were identified and managed safely by staff who understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. People told us staff were mostly available when they needed them. Staff administered people's medicines safely. Accidents and incidents were reviewed by the registered manager to identify trends and to ensure necessary learning was shared with staff. Infection prevention and control was managed safely.

People had opportunities to take part in a variety of group activities. However, we received mixed feedback regarding activities provided to people who were unable to leave their rooms. People were supported to maintain contact with their relatives. Care plans included information needed to support people safely and in accordance with their wishes and preferences. These were reviewed regularly.

There were effective monitoring processes in place to help ensure a good standard of service. Quality assurance systems identified any areas that needed further development. The registered manager completed thorough investigations into any or concerns and acted to improve the service.

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 ‘requires improvement’ (published 2 July 2021) and there were two breaches of our regulations. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced focused inspection of this service on 18 May 2021. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when. This was to improve safe care and treatment.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions safe, responsive and well-led which contain those requirements.

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.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Cheriton Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.