Archived: Dovecote Manor

Updated 11 June 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection was undertaken by an adult social care inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type:

Dovecote Manor is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (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:

This was an unannounced inspection which took place over two days on 29 and 30 April 2019.

What we did:

Our planning considered information the provider sent us since the last inspection. We also considered information about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as abuse or other concerns. We obtained information from the local authority commissioners and safeguarding team and other professionals who work with the service.

We assessed the Provider Information Return [PIR] which 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection, we spoke with eight people using the service and two family members to ask about their experience of care. We also spoke with the registered manager and five members of staff. We received feedback from a visiting professional.

We looked at four people’s care records and a selection of other records including quality monitoring records, training records, staff records and records of checks carried out on the premises and equipment.

Updated 11 June 2019

About the service:

Dovecote Manor provides accommodation, personal care and support for up to 30 older people. There were 25 people accommodated at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

There was a positive atmosphere in the home which we found to be homily and well run. People living in the home interacted freely and staff were seen to be caring and supportive.

The assessment and planning of people’s care was individualised. We found care records that supported people were completed and reviewed with the person’s input.

Systems were in place to monitor medication so that people received their medicines safely.

We were given positive feedback from the people we spoke with who were living at Dovecote Manor. They told us they enjoyed living at the home and their quality of life was good. People said they were well cared for. People were listened to and had the support they needed to express their needs and wishes. People could make decisions and choices.

All the people we spoke with told us they felt safe and well supported. One person said, “The staff are excellent – efficient, considerate, knowledgeable and patient.” Another person commented, “The staff are very good and look after you well.”

The home was staffed appropriately and consistently. Staff could explain each person’s care needs and how they communicated these needs. People told us that staff had the skills and approach needed to ensure they were receiving the right care.

Care was organised, so any risks were assessed and plans put in place to maximise people’s independence whilst help ensure people’s safety.

The staff we spoke with described how they would recognise abuse and the action they would take to ensure actual or potential harm was reported.

Arrangements were in place for checking the environment to ensure it was safe. We found the environment safe and well maintained.

Staff sought consent from people before providing support. When people were unable to consent, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed.

We saw people’s dietary needs were managed with reference to individual needs and choice. Meal times provided a good social occasion.

The registered manager could evidence a series of quality assurance processes and audits carried out internally and externally by staff and from visiting senior managers for the provider. These were effective in managing the home and were based on getting feedback from the people living there.

Rating at last inspection:

This service had previously been inspected in November 2016 and rated as good. The report was published on 21 December 2016.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection. There were no previous concerns about the service. The service continued to be rated as providing Good care.

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