Pebble Mill Care Home

Updated 24 March 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 completed by an inspector, an assistant inspector and a Nurse specialist.

Service and service type

Pebble Mill Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Pebble Mill Care Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. A new registered manager had been recruited during the inspection and was receiving their induction. The inspection was facilitated by a regional manager who had been supporting the service in the absence of a registered manager.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the 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 (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people who were living at Pebble Mill Care Home and 5 relatives of people residing there. We spoke with 11 staff including regional managers, nursing staff, the head chef, the maintenance technician and care team. We reviewed a range of records. These included 4 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures. We also contacted 2 professionals who work regularly with the service. 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.

Updated 24 March 2023

About the service

Pebble Mill Care Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 62 people. The service provides support to younger and older adults and people with physical disability. At the time of our inspection there were 29 people using the service.

Pebble Mill Care Home accommodates people across 2 floors of the purpose-built building. People had en suite facilities in their own rooms and access to lounges and dining areas as well as an enclosed shared garden.

Staff used systems to monitor and maintain health and safety and manage risks effectively. People were supported by adequate numbers of trained staff. People were supported to take their medicines safely. People lived in a clean and well-maintained home. They told us they felt safe.

Care records were accurate and up to date and guided staff as to how people wanted to be supported. Staff received inductions tailored to their experience and ongoing training to keep them updated. Adaptions were made to take account of people’s individual needs. People had plenty of food to eat and could have snacks and drinks when they wanted them.

Staff treated people with respect and dignity. People were encouraged to do what they could for themselves to retain independence. People’s equality and diversity were respected, and care was offered in line with their cultural and religious needs.

Some people and their relatives felt there was not enough for them to do. People described a range of events and activities they had participated in previously. Two full time activity coordinators were recruited to support the existing part time activity coordinator during our inspection. People were supported by staff who knew about their individual needs and preferences.

The was no registered manager in place at the time of our inspection. A home manager was recruited during the inspection. Regional managers had supported the service during the absence of a registered manager. Staff told us although they had not received appraisals they felt well supported by the regional manager.

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.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 11 January 2020) The service was found to be in breach of regulations. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.