We carried out a review of the data available to us about Cossins House 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 Cossins House Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Cossins House is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 24 people. The service provides support to older people and those who live with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service. Cossins House is a renovated property set in large grounds. People’s bedrooms are on two floors, with communal areas on the ground floor.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns they had. Medicines were managed safely. The home was clean and hygienic and staff maintained effective systems of infection prevention and control (IPC). The provider exercised safe recruitment practices.
Incidents had been reported to CQC and the local authority where necessary, which ensured that adverse events were investigated and lessons learned. Assessments had been carried out to identify any potential risks to people and measures put in place to mitigate these.
There were enough staff on each shift to keep people safe and meet their needs. People told us they did not have to wait when they needed support and did not feel rushed when staff provided their care. Staff received an induction when they started work and had access to the training they needed for their roles. Staff were expected to meet regularly with their managers for supervision and appraisal.
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 supported to maintain good health and to access healthcare services when they needed them. They received person centred care, planned and reviewed to meet their individual needs.
People told us the home had a friendly atmosphere and said they got on well with the staff who supported them. We saw how staff engaged positively with the people they supported during our inspection and treated them with kindness and respect. People had opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities, which were planned to meet their needs and interests.
Communication amongst the staff team was effective, which helped ensure people received safe and effective care. Staff were well-supported by their managers and colleagues and felt valued for the work they did. Staff and managers had developed effective working relationships with other professionals involved in people's care and implemented any professional guidance effectively.
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 07 April 2020 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 18 August 2017.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. 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, which will help inform when we next inspect.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The premises were clean and well maintained. Additional cleaning schedules had been introduced since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. High touch areas such as door handles, and light switches were cleaned throughout the day. Hand sanitiser was readily available throughout the premises.
There were trollies stocked with personal protective equipment (PPE) stationed around the home and each person had their own clinical waste bin in their room, to support the safe disposal of PPE worn by staff. Those who tested positive for COVID-19 had their crockery washed separately and their clothes and bed linen were washed in a designated washing machine.
Staff temperatures were recorded daily, they took two lateral flow tests and one PCR test per week. People who used the service were supported to access monthly testing. There was a separate building for staff to don and doff their uniforms and all staff uniforms were washed on site.
Staff supported people to remain in contact with their families in line with government guidance. There was a visiting pod where relatives could see their family member in a COVID safe way. The service ensured that visitors to the home were carefully screened so that they do not present a risk to people in the home.
Staff had a good understanding of infection prevention and control measures. They had been provided with infection control training and regular updates. All staff had received recent training in infection prevention and control (IPC) and were seen to be following correct IPC practices at all times.
The registered manager was available to people and staff and they worked alongside care staff to support people during times of staff shortage. They were the designated IPC lead and shared all current policy government updates with staff and family members.
The registered manager sought support and advice from external agencies including the local health team, Surrey County Council and CQC and was open to all advice and guidance offered.