Archived: The Wimborne Care Home

Updated 23 November 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience on day one.

An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Day two of the inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Wimborne Care 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.

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 inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 14 people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 13 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, regional support manager, a registered nurse, care assistants, laundry, domestic, kitchen staff and the activities coordinator. We also spoke with a visiting healthcare professional.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. This included email assurances from the registered manager of planned maintenance and training sessions. We received email feedback from five healthcare professionals who liaise with the service.

Updated 23 November 2019

About the service

The Wimborne Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and nursing care to 22 people aged 65 and over. At the time of our inspection two of these people were in hospital. The service can support up to 29 people. The first floor was accessed by a passenger lift or stairs with a stairlift if required. People had a communal dining room, lounge and conservatory which led out onto a level access garden.

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

There was a lack of variety and availability of activities for people to enjoy. Although the organisation had a structured activities programme, this had not been implemented within the home. The registered manager told us they were looking to recruit another staff member to support and improve activities.

The home was due to start a programme of redecoration and renovation. This included painting the interior, creating designated storage space for equipment, replacing people’s carpets and repairing a wet room. This had followed feedback from residents and relatives and an internal health and safety audit.

People told us they felt safe living at The Wimborne Care Home. Staff understood the signs that could indicate a person was experiencing harm and abuse and knew how to raise concerns both internally and to external agencies if required.

People were supported to maintain their health and well-being via timely referral to relevant health care services such as GPs, district nurses and specialist dentists. Good oral health was encouraged and supported by staff.

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. Refresher training was being provided to improve staff understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) including best practice when completing mental capacity assessments and best interests decision paperwork.

People had personalised care plans which were regularly reviewed with their involvement and included their needs, abilities and preferences. Staff knew people well which supported good care and meaningful interactions.

People were supported and encouraged to maintain contact with friends and family. Relatives told us they were made to feel welcome, were involved in their family member’s care and could visit freely. Annual surveys gave people the opportunity to influence developments at the home.

The registered manager was seen as supportive, approachable and actively encouraging of staff professional development. Support to the registered manager was provided by a new deputy manager and a regional support manager who visited the home on a weekly basis.

A variety of team meetings were used as a forum to discuss people's changing needs, reflect on practice and share learning.

People were supported by staff who enjoyed working at the home. One staff member told us, “I love the staff here, we're a team.”

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 6 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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