Surbitonian Gardens at Poppy Court

Surbitonian Gardens is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 80 people. The service provides support to older people with nursing needs and those with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 50 people using the service.

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

People and their relatives gave positive feedback about the staff and told us they were kind and caring. We observed positive interactions between people and staff throughout the inspection.

The provider had clear risk assessments in place and their care plans included clear guidelines for staff in how to mitigate risks to people’s safety in areas of known risk.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines. The provider facilitated safe visiting arrangements, had systems in place to ensure the building was clean and had systems in place to prevent the spread of infection.

There were safe systems in place for the management and administration of medicines. Staff had received training and were clear about their responsibilities. The provider supported people with their nutritional needs.

The provider carried out appropriate pre- employment checks before hiring staff. There was an induction programme for new staff, which prepared them for their role. Staff were provided with enough training and supervisions to help them carry out their duties. There were enough staff employed to meet people’s needs, although the provider was working towards hiring a greater proportion of permanent as opposed to agency staff.

The provider adapted the service with people’s needs in mind and assisted them to participate in activities and avoid social isolation. Where people required support at the end of their life, this was provided in a compassionate and dignified way. People’s complaints were responded to in a timely manner in accordance with the provider’s policy.

Staff gave good feedback about the registered manager who was in post at the time of the inspection. However, people’s relatives expressed concern as the registered manager left shortly after our site visit. We spoke with the acting manager who was the deputy manager at the time of our site visit and she confirmed she would continue to provide management cover.

The provider monitored the quality of people’s care, and took action where any issues were identified.

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.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 27 July 2022 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staffing. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.