Westfields

Updated 17 May 2022

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 team consisted of one inspector and an expert-by-experience. 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

This service provides care and support to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is rented and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support service.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We gave the provider 24 hours’ notice because people are often out, and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us. Inspection activity started on 22 April 2022 and ended on 26 April 2022. We visited the location’s office on 22 April 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We reviewed statutory notifications submitted by the provider. Statutory notifications contain information providers are required to send to us about significant events that take place within services. 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 two care support workers, a team leader, the registered manager, and a newly appointed manager. We observed interactions between people and staff. While we were on site, we spoke with three people. We reviewed a range of records including two people’s care records, medicines administration records and arrangements for two people and other records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We the expert-by-experience phoned two people and asked them for their feedback about the service. We continued to speak with the registered manager and sought clarification about the evidence gathered.

Updated 17 May 2022

About the service

Westfields was previously known as London Care (Human Support Group Limited - Westfields). Premier Care Limited took over the operation of the service from the previous care provider in June 2020.

Westfields provides personal care and support to people living in self-contained flats located in a single building. This is known as extra care housing and is operated by an independent housing provider which is The Anchor Group (Anchor), who employs a housing manager to take care of the premises including maintenance and gardening. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of this inspection there were 13 people being provided with personal care and support by the service.

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

People were safe at the service. People received personalised care and support specific to their needs and preferences.

Recruitment practices were safe and there were sufficient numbers of consistent staff available to meet people's needs. There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed. Two new staff were due to start at the service, this would reduce agency usage.

Staff received effective training that gave them the skills to support people with their needs. The provider was looking to support staff with further training for health and social care diplomas, previously known as National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)

Staff followed current hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infections. Visitors to the service were given information to help them reduce the risk of catching and spreading infections. The provider made sure safety concerns about the premises were reported promptly to the housing provider.

Risks to people's safety were assessed and reviewed and systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Processes were in place to ensure medicines were managed safely and staff had received medicines training.

Staff were kind, caring and respected people’s rights to privacy and to be treated with dignity. People were supported to be as independent as they could be with daily living tasks. Relatives could visit with family members without unnecessary restrictions.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff helped people to stay healthy and well. They supported people to eat and drink enough to meet their needs, to take their prescribed medicines and to manage their healthcare conditions.

There were arrangements in place to make sure accidents, incidents and complaints would be fully investigated and people would be involved and informed of the outcome. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and people, relatives and staff felt comfortable raising any concerns and giving feedback.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 3 June 2020 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 04 December 2017.

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 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.

Follow up

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