Cherry Orchard

Updated 19 June 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 completed by two inspectors, a specialist advisor in nursing and an Expert by Experience who made telephone calls to people and relatives. 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

Cherry Orchard 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. The registered manager was on annual leave during our inspection. Clinical Lead and Director was present during the inspection to support us.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was announced. We gave the provider 24 hours’ notice to ensure we were appraised of the home’s COVID-19 status to prior to the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

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

We spoke with one person who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the clinical lead, director, health care assistant, a nurse, a chef, and the activities co-ordinator. 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 six people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at seven staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed a range of policies and procedures and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly visit the service. After the inspection the Expert by Experience made telephone calls and spoke with three people who used the service and five relatives by telephone about their experience of the care provided.

Updated 19 June 2021

About the service

Cherry Orchard is registered to provide accommodation and nursing care for up to 40 people. There were 40 people living at Cherry Orchard when we inspected. The accommodation was arranged across three separate units on ground floor level. All units specialise in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

People and their relatives were satisfied with the care provided by Cherry Orchard. Relatives of people living in the home told us they were involved in making decisions about their care. They told us people felt safe and comfortable in the company of the staff who knew them well and were kind and caring.

We were assured that infection prevention and control (IPC) measures were appropriately followed. There was a suitable supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning products and they were used effectively to minimise the spread of infection.

Risks to people were assessed and managed in a way that enabled people to take positive risks as part of an independent lifestyle. People were protected from the risk of abuse and harm and staff understood their responsibilities for keeping people safe. Medicines were kept safe and given to people at the right time. There was a process in place for the recording, reporting and learning lessons from accidents and incidents.

People's needs were assessed before they began using the service and they had access to healthcare professionals as required to meet their needs. Personalised care plans were in place, which reflected people's needs and were updated regularly. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff knew people they were supporting including their preferences, which helped to ensure personalised care was delivered. People using the service and their relatives told us the service was caring and we observed staff supporting people in a caring and respectful manner. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity and encouraged independence.

Systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service were in place. Staff reported having a positive relationship with the provider and felt communication was effective. Quality monitoring systems allowed for the effective monitoring of the service by the provider.

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)

This service was registered with us on 11 November 2019 and this is the first inspection where we have provided a rating for the service. The last rating for this service under the previous provider, Care UK Community Partnerships Ltd was good (published 22 June 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date the service registered with us.

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 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.