Archived: Colindale Care Home

Updated 26 February 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a routine comprehensive inspection. We were aware of concerns about people’s safety that had been referred to the local authority safeguarding team. Prior to the inspection, we heard that these concerns had been resolved. However, we took this into account in how we planned the inspection.

The inspection took place on 17 and 19 November 2018. The first day was unannounced. An inspection manager and inspector were present on the first day, with the inspector returning alone for the second day.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included statutory notifications about significant incidents such as deaths and serious injuries. We obtained feedback from the local authority safeguarding and contracts professionals. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we met all of the people living at Colindale Care Home and spoke with three of them who were willing to speak with us. However, they were not able to describe their experiences in depth. We also spoke with four visitors, the provider, the business manager and three care staff. We observed how people were supported and examined two people’s care records. We reviewed the medicines administration records, staff rotas, recruitment records for two staff, supervision and training records for two staff, premises maintenance records, accident and incident records, minutes of staff meetings and audits.

Updated 26 February 2019

This comprehensive inspection took place on 17 and 19 December 2018. The first day was unannounced.

Colindale Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Colindale Care Home specialises in providing care to people living with dementia. It accommodates up to 14 people in an adapted house. Individual bedrooms are located on all four floors, and there is a stairlift between the ground and first floors. There were 13 people living there when we inspected.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions Safe and Well Led to at least good. At this inspection, we found that action had been taken to meet the regulations for both of these key questions, although further improvements were required in relation to Safe.

At our last inspection in November 2017 we asked the provider to make improvements to how medicines were stored and managed. This action has now been completed. Medicines were stored securely and managed safely. We have made a recommendation about the recording of variable doses of medicines.

At our last inspection in November 2017 we also asked the provider to make improvements to how they monitored and managed the quality of the service. This action has now been completed. There were arrangements in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service.

The provider acknowledged that refurbishment of paintwork, tiling and carpets was needed in various parts of the home. The provider had already identified and planned to address most of the issues we found.

The premises were kept as clean as they could be, given the maintenance improvements that were necessary, and most areas smelt fresh. Routine infection control measures, such as hand cleansing and staff use of personal protective equipment, were in operation.

Care and support was planned and delivered to promote a good quality of life. People’s needs and choices were assessed holistically and their care was personalised according to their individual needs. Assessments and support plans flagged people’s sensory and communication impairments and how staff should assist them to communicate. A range of activities was provided, and people were supported to access the local community. People had the support they needed to eat and drink enough. Medical attention was sought promptly if people became unwell or to address unplanned weight loss.

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. Risks were assessed and managed with the fewest possible restrictions. Records were up to date, securely stored and readily accessible. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people from abuse and discrimination. Recruitment procedures protected people from staff who were known to be unsuitable to work in care.

Staff were motivated and proud of their work and there was a strong sense of teamwork. There were sufficient staff to provide the care people needed. Staff had the necessary skills and knowledge. They were supported through training, supervision and appraisal.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Staff knew and cared about the people they were supporting. They noticed when people looked upset and were quick to support them. They maintained people’s dignity and as far as possible promoted their independence.

People were supported at the end of their lives to have a dignified, comfortable death when the time came.

Lessons were learned, and improvements made when things went wrong. Complaints were taken seriously and used to improve the quality of care.

The service had a friendly, homely feel. The provider and staff had informal, open communication with people and their families and friends. Staff reported they were starting to have more communication with the provider and business manager. We have made a recommendation regarding the ongoing development of communication between the management and staff teams.

The provider had developed working relationships with the local authority safeguarding and contracts teams, and this had supported them to plan for and bring about improvements. Legal requirements were understood and met.