This inspection took place on 8 October 2018. The inspection was unannounced. This meant the provider was not aware we would be visiting the home.At our last inspection we rated the service as good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
Primrose Court 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 home is a purpose facility with accommodation in single rooms all of which have en-suite facilities. The home is not registered to provide nursing care.
Risks within the service were recorded, monitored and reviewed. The provider had a safeguarding policy in place and staff had an understanding of safeguarding matters. Sufficient staff were employed to support people’s personal care needs. Some people and relatives felt staff did not always have time to provide both personal care and engage in activities. Appropriate recruitment systems continued to be operated.
Medicines in the service continued to be managed and monitored appropriately. Staff had received training on the safe handling of medicines. The service was maintained in a clean and tidy manner.
People’s needs were assessed and care delivered in line with these needs. Staff had undertaken a range of training and had sufficient skills and experience to support people with individual care. People were supported with a healthy diet and specialist requirements were supported and catered for.
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. Family members were involved in decisions as much as practical. The environment was homely, warm and welcoming. People’s rooms were personalised.
People appeared happy and relaxed in staff company and we noted good relationships between staff and people who used the service. Relatives we spoke with praised the care and told us their relations were well looked after. Staff were committed to ensuring people received good quality and personal support. People were supported to make day to day decisions and were involved in care plan reviews. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and staff promoted and encouraged independence.
Care records contained information that supported staff to deliver care that met the individual’s needs, although the detail in plans could be variable. Care was reviewed and families were involved in these reviews. People were supported to access a range of events and activities. Concern was expressed about the provider’s move to a wellness model where all staff were involved in providing activities. The registered manager told us the new way of working would be reviewed. There had been one recent formal complaint about the service in addition to the concerns about activities.
People and families spoke positively about the registered manager who they felt was approachable and helpful. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and supportive. They told us there was a good staff team at the service.
Regular audits and checks were in place to monitor the quality of the service. Records were well maintained and up to date. Daily records were regularly completed although tended to focus on care tasks rather than the individual. The service was meeting legal requirements by displaying the current quality rating and submitting notifications to the Commission.