Background to this inspection
Updated
31 March 2020
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.
Service and service type
The Elms 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 did not have a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. A manager was in post and was in the process of registering to become a registered manager. A registered manager 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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We reviewed feedback we had received from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff; the operations manager, the manager, the deputy manager, the activities lead and two members of care staff. We also spoke with two relatives of people living at The Elms. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and multiple medicines records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We reviewed and analysed all the information gathered during the inspection.
Updated
31 March 2020
About the service
The Elms is a 'care home' registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 45 older people, including those living with dementia. At the time of our visit, 41 people were using the service.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
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 safe. Risks to people were assessed, monitored and well managed. A person told us, I'm confident [name of person] is safe here."
Staffing levels met people's personalised care needs. The provider had robust systems in place to prevent the spread of infection and to ensure people received their medicines safely and as prescribed. The home was clean, tidy and free from unpleasant odours.
Staff recognised people as individuals and worked to ensure people felt fulfilled and had access to a range of activities and social stimulation that met their individual needs and preferences.
People's care plans contained detailed, personalised information that the management team kept under constant review. The manager and provider carried out regular checks on the quality and safety of the service and understood their regulatory responsibilities.
People were supported to access health and social care professionals. Dietary needs were assessed, and guidance provided in care plans. People received enough food to eat and drink. People told us they thought the food was of good quality.
People received quality care that contributed to their wellbeing. Caring relationships were formed between staff and people due to the approach and continuity of staff. People were treated with dignity and respect. One person told us, "I can honestly say that the staff are the nicest people I have ever been with."
People and their relatives gave positive feedback about the service and its managers. Staff were also positive, stating the manager was open and supportive. A member of staff told us, “This is a lovely place to work, the residents are amazing and the staff I work with are amazing.”
People's communication needs were identified and planned for. The service had a clear process for managing complaints. People and their relatives expressed confidence they could raise any issues or concerns and that these would be addressed.
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 this service was Good. Published (03 March 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.