Sycamore Care Centre - Boldon

Updated 30 March 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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

The inspection team was made up of one inspector 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

Sycamore Care Centre - Boldon 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 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 announced. We gave the registered manager short notice of the inspection to ensure it was safe for us to visit the home.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the provider registered the location with us. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people and 11 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the owner, operations manager, company secretary, registered manager, nurse in charge, team leader, activities manager and two care assistants. 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.

We reviewed documentation, inspected the safety of the premises and carried out observations in communal areas. We reviewed a range of records including three people’s care records, medicines records and quality audits. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed training information, supervisions, appraisals, policies and procedures, medicines management, accidents and incidents, complaints, surveys, newsletters, quality assurance records and various other documentation.

Updated 30 March 2022

About the service

Sycamore Care Centre - Boldon is a care home that provides personal and nursing care for up to 69 people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 44 people living in the home.

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

People felt safe living in the home and with the support they received from staff. People and relatives spoke very highly of the staff and said they were kind, patient and compassionate. Comments included, “They are absolutely wonderful, staff fall over themselves to help you” and, “Everybody is fantastic. They make you feel at home - best thing ever.”

Staff safeguarded people from abuse. Risks to individuals and the environment were well managed. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. The provider learned from accidents and incidents to mitigate future risks. Medicines were safely managed. Infection control processes were embedded into the service and staff followed government guidance in relation to infection control and prevention practices, in particular, relating to COVID-19. A relative said, “Since there have been new owners, the home is immaculate.”

People’s needs were assessed before they moved into the home and on an ongoing basis. Staff were suitably trained and received regular supervisions. People were supported with their nutritional needs and to access a range of health care professionals. 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 were well supported and cared for. Staff treated people with respect and supported them in a dignified manner and in line with their wishes. A relative told us, “Good thing [about the service] is the care and patience of staff, they are fantastic. I can’t think of anything that needs improving.” People were encouraged to be as independent as possible, where it was safe to do so.

People received person-centred care and care plans detailed how they wished to be supported. Staff knew how to effectively communicate with people and communication methods were detailed in care records. People and relatives had no complaints about the home but knew how to raise concerns. Any complaints received were fully investigated and actioned. People enjoyed a range of activities inside the home and accessed the local community.

The home was well managed. People and relatives were complimentary about the home and care people received. The provider had an effective quality assurance process in place which included regular audits. People, relatives and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service through surveys, meetings and reviews.

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 15 November 2019 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, published on 29 September 2018.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to formally rate the service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.