Archived: Sunrise of Guildford

Updated 11 December 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by three inspectors, a specialist advisor who was a nurse and two Experts 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

Sunrise of Guildford is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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. 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

During the inspection we spoke with 12 people about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten care staff; two registered nurses, the dining service coordinator, three activity assistants, reminiscence coordinator, three housekeeping staff, one medicine technician and the registered manager. 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 12 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 audits; activity records, menu’s, daily notes, staff rotas, maintenance records and policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. An Expert by Experience contacted 10 relatives on 11 November 2021 to gain feedback over the telephone. We also looked at training data, clinical audits and quality assurance records.

Updated 11 December 2021

About the service

Sunrise of Guildford is a nursing and residential care home that can support up to 101 people. The ground and first floor provide accommodation for people described as requiring assisted living, this part of the home is called the ‘Assisted Living Neighbourhood’. The care provided includes a range of care and nursing needs that include minimal support for people up to nursing care. Some people led a mainly independent life and used the home's facilities to support their lifestyle. Other people had various health care needs that included physical and medical conditions including diabetes, strokes and end of life care. Some people had limited mobility and needed to be supported with equipment to help them move around. Some people lived with dementia that required regular prompting and supervision to lead a fulfilling life.

The second floor provided accommodation for people who were living with dementia. This floor was called the ‘Reminiscence Neighbourhood’.

At the time of the inspection, care and support was being provided to 73 people.

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

The deployment of staff did not consistently promote positive outcomes for people. Some staff told us that they did not always get the time they wanted to spend with people and promote their social, emotional and psychological care needs. People had access to their own individual call bells. However, staff’s response time could be varied. One person told us, “I do feel safe here but sometimes I do have to wait to have my call bell answered.” We have made a recommendation about staff deployment.

People and their relatives spoke highly of the home. One relative told us, “The best thing they do is genuine personalised care. It’s a lovely place to be and they make it very homely.” Another relative commented, “I’m very pleased with the care. The staff are always enthusiastic and professional.”

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.

Risks to people's health and well-being had been assessed and monitored to ensure they were kept safe. The provider had safeguarding systems and processes in place to keep people safe. Staff knew the risks to people and followed the assessments to ensure they met people's needs.

The environment was clean and staff observed and followed infection control procedures in line with national guidance for reducing the spread of Covid-19.

Staff spoke positively about management. They felt well supported and they could talk to the management team at any time, feeling confident any concerns would be acted on promptly. One staff member told us, “Management are ever so supportive.” Positive links with the local community had been established. People were supported to go out and about and the home had its own minibus which people could access.

Equality and diversity was at the forefront of the service. Staff had received training on equality and diversity and spoke positively of the multicultural nature of the home and staff team. People were treated with dignity, respect and kindness and were involved in decisions about their care.

People told us that they made friendships and felt happy at the service. One person told us, “I’ve no reason to be unhappy here. It’s lovely. The staff are wonderful and very respectful.”

People received personalised care that met their needs and respected their preferences. Care plans gave staff clear guidance and staff followed these plans. People enjoyed activities that reflected their hobbies, interests and lives. People were supported with care and kindness at the end of their life. Staff were also passionate about delivering dignified and compassionate end of life care.

People had regular access to health care professionals. A GP visited the home on a weekly basis and staff were prompt in responding to any change in health care needs. Staff also worked in partnership with healthcare professionals, including dietitians; speech and language therapists and tissue viability nurses. We found that the design and layout of the building met people's needs and promoted dignity

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service under the previous provider was Good (report published 28 April 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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 until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.