Archived: Gracewell of Woking

We found the following examples of good practice.

People had received support around their social and emotional wellbeing throughout the pandemic. People told us they had enjoyed a range of activities they liked when the national restrictions had been in place and could talk to their loved ones via phone or video call. People were supported to meet with visitors in a COVID-19 secure way. The provider ensured people could see their loved ones, enjoy low risks visits out of the home and have a nominated essential care giver to support them. The registered manager discussed people’s options and safety with them and their families and completed relevant risk assessments.

The registered manager regularly reviewed COVID-19 safety measures with their team. The head of housekeeping monitored day to day cleaning and there were robust plans in place for this. The home was clean and personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as handwashing facilities and hand sanitiser were easily available for staff and visitors. The home environment and systems of work were reviewed in line with the national guidance for the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, staff facilities were reorganised to reduce risk from COVID-19 and there were clear outbreak management plans in place.

Staff received a range of COVID-19 specific training around the disease itself, as well as infection prevention and control (IPC) and PPE use and told us they felt supported by the management and safe when at work. Staff were required to regularly test for COVID-19 as per the national testing programme for care homes and were supported to access COVID-19 vaccinations. This included agency staff who worked exclusively in the home to support the team.

Staff reviewed people’s clinical needs and how COVID-19 affected their health and wellbeing and took a range of positive actions to address any lessons learned from the pandemic. This included plans of how any outstanding health needs would be met, for example around routine medical care disrupted by the pandemic or changes to nutritional needs caused by the COVID-19 infection. People’s families were also involved to support people around their wellbeing with actions being identified for how the staff team would work with the essential care givers to support people’s emotional and physical health in a COVID-19 safe way.

Gracewell of Woking is a nursing home that is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 60 people. At the time of our inspection there were 43 people living at the service, a number of whom were living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service:

People were looked after and supported by a consistent, caring and well established service. People were safe because of the experienced care and effective staff. People told us they felt safe and happy at the home, one person said, “ I feel very safe here. The staff are very good.” People’s medicines were managed well and safely.

On the first floor, due to people’s high needs and severe dementia, people did not always receive high quality person-centred care. Generally people were protected from harm or risk of harm but work was still be implemented by management to ensure people were protected from the risk of falling. We made a recommendation regarding this. People’s care plans were not always person-centred or sufficiently detailed to enable staff to provide tailored care. There were plenty of meaningful activities to entertain and occupy people at the home.

People’s needs and choices were assessed and recorded. People’s rights were protected as the mental capacity act was complied with. The home itself had been built and adapted to a high standard so that people could live in clean, modern comfort.

People were cared for by kind, considerate staff who took time to chat with people throughout the day. People could take part in meetings and contribute to the organisation of the home.

Regular audits were completed by the provider to consider areas that required improvement. People and staff told us that they were supported by a kind management team.

Rating at last inspection:

This was the first inspection of this service.

Why we inspected:

This inspection was carried out in line with our inspection methdology in that we scheduled the inspection based on our previous rating.