Elm Bank Care Home

Updated 10 February 2021

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

The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Elm Bank 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

We contacted the service on the morning of the inspection to announce it.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held about the service, including the statutory notifications we had received from the provider. Statutory notifications are reports about changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send to us. We contacted the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams to request feedback.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including care workers, ancillary staff, the deputy manager, registered manager and the quality manager. We observed staff interactions with people, a medicine administration round and the donning and doffing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medicine records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed, including policies, procedures and audits.

We spoke with the nominated individual during an inspection feedback call. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at easy read documentation, quality surveys and quality assurance records.

Updated 10 February 2021

About the service

Elm Bank Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 48 people across three floors. At the time of the inspection 27 people were living at the home.

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

People and relatives were complimentary of the care received. We were told people felt very safe with the staff and relatives commented on the trust they had with the staff team and management. People described staff as “lovely,” “wonderful” and “perfect.” Relatives described them as being “very understanding and respectful of people’s needs.”

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs in a safe way. Infection prevention and control systems followed government guidance to minimise the impact of Covid-19. Risks were assessed and steps taken to minimise hazards. Medicines were managed safely by trained staff.

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. People were supported with any healthcare needs and staff followed the guidance of health care professionals when needed.

Care was provided in a personalised way which respected people’s wishes and preferences. There was a focus on communication and making sure people received information in a way they understood. End of life care was provided in a dignified way.

Relatives felt the home was well managed and they would recommend the home. Quality assurance systems were used to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the care and support provided.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good published on 23 January 2020.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about infection control. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.

A decision was made for us to inspect and examine all domains due to it being the first inspection with the provider Marton Care Homes Ltd.

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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Please see the safe section of this full report.

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.