We carried out a review of the data available to us about Woodlands Care Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Woodlands Care Centre, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider had dedicated staff to ensure people were admitted safely and continued to be supported in the service in accordance with national guidance. Infection prevention and control (IPC) policies and procedures were kept under review. We found safe processes were in place and appropriate action had been taken. The local commissioner’s IPC team was providing advice and support when required.
Social media systems such as computer systems and ‘face time’ access was used to facilitate contact between people and their relatives. The registered manager was facilitating safe visiting in line with government guidance. The provider in line with recent guidance was introducing weekend visiting for relatives. One relative said, “A lovely home and weekend visiting will help other relatives visit my [relative].” One person said, “I am so glad other family members will be able to see me at weekends.”
During our visit we observed the staff using Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE) safely. The registered manager told us sufficient stocks of PPE were available and we confirmed this on the visit. A staff member said, “No problems with quantities and access to PPE.” One person said, “A lovely home would not want to be anywhere else. They have all worn PPE and looked after us well during the pandemic.”
The home was clean and hygienic. This was an old building however cleaning schedules were in place and PPE stations located on each floor. Regular checks were carried out to ensure the home was kept clean and hygienic. The management team carried out regular audits of the environment and cleanliness and any issues were addressed.
Woodlands Care Centre is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 23 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 30 people. Accommodation was provided in a large adapted former private residence.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People were positive about the support they received at Woodlands Care Centre. A person-centred approach was clearly evident at the home.
People felt safe and safeguarding procedures were in place. Staff knew how to report any concerns. Overall the registered provider had ensured concerns were appropriately reported to the local authority. People received their medicines regularly and systems were in place for the safe management and supply of medicines. New records for topical medicines were implemented during the inspection.
Some new staff had been recruited and generally people were supported by familiar staff. There were enough staff to meet people's needs in an unrushed way and staff had been recruited safely.
Risks to people's health and well-being were assessed and action was taken to manage these as safely as possible. Regular well-being checks for people nursed in bed needed to be recorded more robustly. Overall staff understood and monitored risks relating to peoples’ dietary needs. Records were available for staff to identify where people had any allergies, however one staff member was unaware of this information. The registered provider confirmed they would ensure all staff were reminded and would organise further training.
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.
The environment was generally clean and safely maintained. In places the home was tired and worn. The new registered provider had undertaken several environmental improvements and had extensive plans to refurbish and extend the rest of the building.
Improvements had been made to the dining experience and people were positive about the menu choices. Staff understood their roles, were well trained and supervised. They felt supported and were kept up to date through regular training and updates. The home worked closely with external health professionals. This helped achieve good outcomes for people. Staff responded to any changes to people's needs and intervened effectively to prevent further deterioration.
People were supported by staff who were caring. The atmosphere within the home was friendly and welcoming and staff were considerate towards the people they cared for. People and their relatives felt involved and supported in decision making. People's privacy was respected, and their dignity maintained.
Staff provided individualised care and people’s choices were respected. Care records were person-centred and provided staff with guidance about people's needs, preference and life histories.
Meaningful activities were provided, and the home had links with the community. People felt able to raise any concerns and were given the opportunity to provide feedback about the care they received. Staff were undertaking further training and development around end of life care.
Staff were motivated and positive, they felt able to raise any concerns. The registered provider and their management team were open and approachable. People told us the home had improved since the new provider had been in place. There were effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality of the care. 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 was good (published 22 October 2016). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.