The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Wynyard Woods

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Wynyard, Billingham, Cleveland, TS22 5GJ (01740) 646980

Provided and run by:
Anchor Carehomes (North East) Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

13 January 2017

During a routine inspection

The inspection took place on 13 January 2017. The inspection was unannounced.

Wynyard Woods is a residential care home based in Wynyard, County Durham. The home provides personal care for up to 50 older people and people with dementia. It is situated close to the village of Sedgefield, close to transport links. On the day of our inspection there were 46 people using the service.

The home had a registered manager. 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.

The atmosphere was homely with a feel that was warm and welcoming.

Without exception we saw staff interacting with people in a person centred and caring way. We spent time observing the support that took place in the service. We saw that people were always respected by staff and treated with kindness. We saw staff being considerate and communicating with people well.

We saw that people were encouraged to enhance their wellbeing on a daily basis to take part in activities that encouraged and maximised their independence and also contributed positively to the homely atmosphere.

We spoke with a range of different team members; care, kitchen staff, domestics and maintenance staff who told us they all felt well supported and that the registered manager was supportive, and they were all polite, receptive, open and approachable.

Throughout the day we saw that people who used the service, relatives and staff were comfortable, relaxed and had an extremely positive rapport with the registered manager and also with each other.

From looking at people’s detailed care plans we saw they were written in plain English and in a person centred way and they also included a ‘one page profile’ that made use of pictures, personal history and described individuals care, treatment and support needs. These were regularly reviewed by including family members and people. These plans were regularly updated by the care staff and the registered manager.

Individual care plans contained risk assessments. These identified risks and described the measures and interventions to be taken to ensure people were protected from the risk of harm. The care records we viewed also showed us that people’s health was monitored and referrals were made to other health care professionals where necessary, for example: their GP or chiropodist.

Our observations during the inspection showed us that people who used the service were supported by sufficient numbers of staff to meet their individual needs and wishes in a person centred way.

When we looked at the staff training records, they showed us staff were supported and able to maintain and develop their skills through training and unique development opportunities were accessible at this service. The staff we spoke with confirmed they attended a range of valuable learning opportunities. They told us they had regular supervisions and appraisals with the registered manager, where they had the opportunity to discuss their care practice and identify further mandatory and vocational training needs. We also viewed records that showed us there were robust recruitment processes in place.

We observed how the service administered medicines and how they did this safely. We looked at how records were kept and spoke with the registered manager about how senior staff were trained to administer medicine and we found that the medicine administering process was safe.

People were consistently actively encouraged to participate in numerous activities that were well thought out, organised, personalised and meaningful to them including, outings and regular entertainers. We saw staff spending their time positively engaging with people as a group and on a one to one basis in fun and meaningful activities. We saw evidence that people were not only being supported to go out and be active in their local community, but on holidays and they were also valued members of the local community.

We saw people were encouraged to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs. We observed people being offered a varied selection of drinks and fresh homemade snacks. The daily menu that we saw was reflective of people’s likes and dislikes and offered varied choices and it was not an issue if people wanted something different.

We saw a complaints and compliments procedure was in place. This provided information on the action to take if someone wished to make a complaint and what they should expect to happen next. The compliments that we looked at were overwhelmingly complimentary to the care staff, management and the service as a whole and particularly around end of life care. People also had their rights respected and access to advocacy services if needed.

We found an effective quality assurance survey took place regularly and we looked at the results. The service had been regularly reviewed through a range of internal and external audits. We saw that action had been taken to improve the service or put right any issues found. We found people who used the service and their representatives were regularly asked for their views about the care and service they received at meetings and via surveys.

17 and 19 February 2015

During a routine inspection

We carried out this unannounced inspection on the 17th and 19th February 2015. We last inspected this service in October 2013.

Wynyard Woods is 50 bedded purpose built care home providing personal care for older people. All bedrooms have en suite facilities including showers. The home is situated in the village of Wynyard, close to a local shop and a public house.

The home had a registered manager in place and they have been in post since 2011.

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. At the time of our inspection the registered manager had recently gone on sick leave. The deputy manager was acting as manager with the support of the area manager.

People who were living at the service received good, kind care and support that was tailored to meet their individual needs. Staff treated people with privacy and dignity. Staff ensured they were kept safe from abuse and avoidable harm. People we spoke with were positive about the care they received and said that they felt safe.

Assessments were undertaken to identify people’s health and support needs and any risks to people who used the service and others. Plans were in place to reduce the risks identified. Care plans were developed with people who used the service to identify how they wanted to be supported and decide upon goals and aspirations they wanted to achieve whilst at the service.

Staff were trained and understood the principles and processes of safeguarding, as well as how to raise a safeguarding alert with the local authority. Staff said they would be confident to whistle blow (raise concerns about the home, staff practices or provider) if the need ever arose.

Accidents and incidents were monitored each month to see if any trends were identified. The deputy manager explained that if trends were to be found remedial action would be taken. At the time of our inspection the deputy manager was working on recognising trends for falls, they had highlighted on a floor plan where the majority of falls happened and at what time. This showed one section of a corridor upstairs where falls were occurring more frequently, due to this they made sure there was more staff presence in this section.

We found people were cared for by sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. Robust recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work. This included obtaining references from previous employers and we saw evidence that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check had been completed before they started work in the home. The Disclosure and Barring Service carry out a criminal record and barring check on individuals who intend to work with children and vulnerable adults. This helps employers make safer recruiting decisions and also to minimise the risk of unsuitable people working with children and vulnerable adults.

We found that medicines were stored and administered appropriately but some improvements were required. Daily room temperatures had been missed several times. Although the service had protocols for when required (PRN) medicines, these were not in place for every PRN. Discontinued medicines were still listed on the Medication Administration Records (MAR).

We saw safety checks and certificates that were all within the last twelve months for items that had been serviced such as fire equipment, gas boiler and hoists. The maintenance file listed jobs that needed to be done daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually. All weekly jobs such as water temperature checks, water flushing and fire alarms, were carried out and signed for weekly, although from November to January these had only been signed for once.

We observed a lunchtime and a tea time meal; these meals were flexible to suit the needs of the people who used the service. We saw people were provided with a choice of healthy food and drinks which helped to ensure their nutritional needs were met.

We saw that the service was clean and tidy and there was plenty of personal protection equipment (PPE) available. We saw evidence of cleaning schedules; these were not always signed to say they were complete.

The deputy manager and staff had been trained and had a good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The deputy manager understood when an application should be made, and how to submit one.

People’s needs were assessed and care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual care needs. The care plans contained a good level of information setting out exactly how each person should be supported to ensure their needs were met. Care plans provided evidence of access to healthcare professionals and services.

The service did not employ an activity coordinator; we were told this was not Ideal Care Homes policy. Activities were limited. This meant that some people were provided with limited stimulus during the day.

Staff received training to enable them to perform their roles and the service looked at ways to increase knowledge to ensure people’s individual needs were met. Staff had regular supervisions and appraisals to monitor their performance and told us they felt supported by the registered manager and deputy manager. However the supervisions and appraisals did not include any personal development plans.

Staff were supported by their registered manager and deputy manager. Staff said they were able to raise any concerns with them. Lessons were learnt from incidents that occurred at the service and improvements were made if and when required. The service did not have a system in place for the management of complaints. The registered manager reviewed processes and practices to ensure people received a high quality service.

17 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with the majority of people living at the home and those that could express a view, were able to speak freely of their opinions about Wynyard Woods.

At the inspection visit the manager was on holiday, but other staff were friendly and helpful and we saw this attitude replicated with other visitors to the home.

We found the home to be warm, clean and tidy with a homely atmosphere.

One person living at the home said, 'I looked at many homes and knew as soon as I walked through the door that I wanted to live here'. Another person said, 'I come and go as I please'.

We observed that people were treated with respect and asked for consent before care and treatment was given.

We found that the food served to people living at Wynyard Woods was nutritious, varied and in plentiful supplies. One person said, 'The food is very good and I used to be a cook so I would know'.

Staff at the home were well supported and had opportunities to gain further skills and qualifications. One staff member said, 'I am very well supported by my line manager, they are very approachable'.

During the inspection we found that the home had processes in place to monitor the quality of service, including accident and complaints procedures.

6 February 2013

During a routine inspection

During the inspection we spoke with eight people who used the service and relatives of two people. We also spoke with the manager, assistant manager and three staff. We saw there was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere between people living and working at the home.

People told us what it was like to live at this home and described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. The eight people we spoke to expressed their satisfaction with the care and service that they received. One person told us,' This is a marvellous place to live,' another person told us,' I looked around at lots of homes before I chose this one. '

We were able to observe people and staff during the inspection. We saw that staff were attentive and interacted well with people and visitors. We saw that the staff treated people with dignity and respect.

We saw that people's views were taken into account in the assessment and care planning process. The eight people and two relatives we spoke with told us they had been involved in the care planning process. We saw that people had their needs assessed and that care plans were in place.

We found there were appropriate arrangements in place for the recruitment of staff.

We found that appropriate systems were in place to ensure the safe use and management of medicines.

We found that systems were in place to deal with comments and complaints.

7 March 2012

During a routine inspection

One person said, "We have meetings every month. The staff are very good, they knock before they come into your room and are all polite, they listen to you.

Another person commented, "Staff are very respectful; they always knock on your door."

One person said, "I have been here since it opened, I wouldn't be anywhere else. I came to visit with my son. The food is alright, had sausages today which I don't like but I ate them. We are given a menu daily with a couple of choices. I can't always have a bath or shower when I want one, as there is only one bath on each floor, we are encouraged to have showers."

A further person said, "There is not much going on, occasionally an entertainer; I don't go as I have heard his songs many times. We socialise between ourselves. We sit outside in summer."

Another person commented "It's alright, although there's not much to do."

One person said, "I would rather be at home, but they are good to you. They do everything they can for us, tablet wise and everything. I can have a bath when I like. We have quizzes and outings. I watch what I want on TV. I get plenty of visitors."

A visitor commented, "My relative always appears clean. I have seen my relatives care plan; it has evolved as they have got to know them. I am happy with the caring side but would like to see more activities. There are newspapers available."

A person spoken with said, "I feel safe here, staff look after me." Another person said "The staff know me well and take care of me."

A person commented, "The staff are alright. I like the girls; they are very nice and very professional."

A relative said, "The staff are very good and the home are now providing training in visual impairment to help meet my relatives needs. Training seems good very specific to people living here. The staff are all very polite. I would like to see more staff so that stimulus can be increased for my relative."

One person said "The manager comes to talk to you, I can tell her any problems".

Another person said "We can raise concerns in our meetings."

A relative said "Its an open house here, you can visit when you like and there is lots of working together with the home. I am able to raise any issues with the manager."