Archived: Winterbrook Nursing Home

Updated 9 March 2018

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.

The service was previously inspected on 20 and 27 July 2017. The inspection resulted in an inadequate rating and the service was placed in special measures. CQC took action in line with their enforcement policy. This inspection was unannounced and took place on 6 and 7 February 2018.

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, a pharmacy 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.

Prior to the inspection we looked at information we held about the service. This included information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also gained feedback from commissioners of the service.

During the inspection we spoke with 16 people and 12 people's relatives. We spoke with the manager, clinical lead, a project manager, two nurses, one senior care worker, two care workers, one activity coordinator and the chef. We also spoke with two health professionals who visited the service.

We looked at five people's care records, medicine records, five staff files and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 9 March 2018

This inspection was carried out on 6 and 7 February 2018 and was unannounced. At our last inspection on 20 and 27 July 2017 the service was rated as inadequate overall and was placed in Special Measures. Services that are in Special Measures are kept under review and inspected again within six months. We expect services to make significant improvements within this timeframe. During this inspection the provider demonstrated to us that improvements have been made and is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is now out of Special Measures.

At the previous inspection we found nine breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. At this inspection we found the provider had made improvements and met the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Although the provider was meeting the regulations we have rated the service as Requires Improvement as we need to be sure the service can sustain the improvements.

Winterbrook Nursing Home 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. Winterbrook Nursing Home accommodates up to 41 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were 26 people using the service.

At the time of the inspection the manager was not registered with CQC. However, they had submitted an application to register. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found significant improvements in the culture of the service. There was a cheerful atmosphere, where staff were friendly and welcoming. People and relatives were positive about the improvements and were complimentary about the management team. The management team were approachable and promoted an open culture.

Improvements made had resulted in people feeling safe in the service. Risks were assessed and there were plans in place to manage the risks. People's medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed.

Methods of communication with people, relatives and staff had improved and they were confident to raise any concerns. Everyone was reassured that concerns would be responded to effectively.

The management team had introduced effective systems to monitor and improve the service and continued to look for ways to improve the care of people living in the service.

Improvements had been made in the way people were treated. People were supported by staff who were kind and caring, treating people with dignity and respect.

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.

People were positive about the food and enjoyed sufficient food and drink to meet their nutritional needs.

The service had employed additional activity staff to ensure people had access to a range of activities to interest them. The activities we saw were enjoyed and created a warm atmosphere with people laughing.

People’s care records had improved and included information recognising people as unique individuals. Reviews had been completed which involved people and relatives. Relatives were positive about the reviews and the improvement in the care plans.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs. The manager recognised the challenge of recruiting enough permanent staff and worked with agencies to provide consistent agency staff to provide continuity of care for people.

Staff support had improved. There were regular opportunities for staff to access training and the management team gave staff the opportunity to influence developments in the service through team meetings.

The service worked closely with health care professionals and had developed positive relationships with them. This ensured people received appropriate support to maintain and improve their health and well-being.