Archived: Stanton Court

We found the following examples of good practice.

The provider was supporting relatives to visit with people safely. Visiting was facilitated in the conservatory, allowing visitors to enter without walking through the main home. Visitors remained seated by the open door and windows were opened to ensure adequate ventilation. Additional measures included a visiting screen, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), rapid testing, and health passports. Health passports requested relevant information, such as if the visitor been abroad in the last two weeks. Visiting was strictly by appointment only.

We observed staff wearing PPE during our inspection. Staff had received training about how to safely manage their PPE. The provider completed competency checks to ensure staff continued to wear, apply and remove their PPE in line with the most recent guidance.

Nominated staff assumed the role of ‘Champion’. Champions facilitated daily meetings with staff to discuss COVID-19 related concerns and updates to COVID-19 guidance.

The provider ensured staff were organised to limit the spread of the virus. For example, ensuring staff working with people who had confirmed COVID-19 didn’t come into contact with people and staff who were COVID-19 free. The provider had also set-up an additional and separate staff room to ensure members of staff did not mix.

The provider re-organised the home in response to COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the virus. For example, during the outbreak people with confirmed COVID-19 were isolated in bedrooms on the top floor. Additional measures that remained in place included seats in communal areas that were spaced to ensure social distancing.

There were robust arrangements to manage laundry, this included walking soiled or used laundry down an external staircase to the laundry-room for washing. This meant the laundry was not walked through the home and helped to prevent the spread of infection. There were hand-washing facilities available in the laundry-room and the windows were open to ensure adequate ventilation.

When the service had experienced an outbreak of COVID-19, staff stayed overnight in tents on the lawn to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The provider had implemented a testing programme and worked in line with published guidance when results were positive. Staff, visitors and people were tested regularly.

The provider had arrangements in place to safely welcome new admissions into the home. This included rapid testing prior to and on the morning of entry into the home, temperature checks and a period of isolation.

Stanton Court is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 26 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 36 people.

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

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.

People received care and support that was safe. The provider had a robust recruitment programme and staff had received training in recognising abuse and safeguarding people.

There were enough staff to look after people safely and take time to sit and chat or join in an activity. Risk assessments were in place with guidance for staff about how to keep people safe.

People received effective care and support that was focused on the person. Staff demonstrated a very good understanding of people’s needs and received training relevant to their role and the needs of people living in the home. People enjoyed a healthy balanced and nutritious diet based on their preferences and health needs.

People received care from staff who were kind and caring. Staff always respected people’s privacy and dignity. People told us they felt respected and valued. People were supported to express an opinion about the care provided and were involved in the day to day running of the home.

People received responsive care and support which was personalised to their individual needs and wishes and promoted independence. There was clear guidance for staff on how to support people in line with their wishes. People’s end of life wishes was recorded, and the home worked with other healthcare professionals to ensure people were comfortable and pain free.

People were supported by a team that was well led. The registered manager demonstrated an open and positive approach to learning and development. Everybody spoken with said they felt the manager was open and approachable. All staff said they felt valued and respected. Systems in place meant the registered manager was able to retain staff so they could develop relationships with people living in the home.

There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service, ensure staff kept up to date with good practice and to seek people’s views. Records showed the service responded to concerns and learnt from issues raised.

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 28 August 2018). Since this rating was awarded the provider has altered its legal entity. 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 re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.