Archived: Kelso Nursing Home

Updated 2 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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Kelso 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and local clinical commissioning group. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, nurses, health care assistants and the cook.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and a range of medication records. We looked at a range of records relation to training, supervision, and the management of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at risk assessment templates and requested an update on planned safety works.

Updated 2 June 2021

About the service

Kelso Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to eight older people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 12 people. Accommodation is provided over two floors with a passenger lift providing access to the first floor. Meal and laundry services are provided on site. Shared facilities include a specialist bathroom, lounge area and level accessed secure garden.

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

People received safe care by a consistent staff team that knew people well and understood the actions needed to mitigate risk and reduce avoidable harm. People had their risks regularly assessed, monitored and reviewed including falls, skin integrity and malnutrition. Staff had completed safeguarding training and understood how to recognise and report abuse or poor practice. Infection, prevention and control practices were in line with the latest government guidance. Medicines were administered safely by trained staff.

Leadership was visible and promoted person centred care. Staff spoke positively about the service, felt appreciated and able to share views. Staff had a clear understanding of their roles and worked effectively as a team. Although social restrictions had been in place due to COVID-19 families remained involved in the service through video, telephone and email contact. Visiting had resumed in line with the latest government guidance. Quality assurance processes were in place, including audits for wound care and competency checks for hand washing. The registered manager utilised external professional organisations, such as the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, to keep up to date with best practice.

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

The last rating for this service was Good (published 5 January 2018). As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we carried out a targeted, but not rated, inspection on 23 March 2021, to look at infection, prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We found a breach of regulation. The provider completed an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements.

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 been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has remained good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Kelso Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.