Weymouth - Weymouth Care Home

Updated 25 December 2020

The inspection

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Weymouth Care 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.

Notice of this inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Updated 25 December 2020

Weymouth Care Home is registered to provide accommodation with nursing care for up to 35 people. There were 32 people living in the home at the time of our visit, some of whom were living with dementia as well as other conditions such as parkinson’s disease and diabetes. The home is organised across two floors. There is a passenger lift to allow easy access to the first floor. The majority of rooms have ensuite facilities. There is a communal dining area, a lounge, and a library which is used as a quiet area for people to spend time with friends and relatives.

There was a registered manager in post. This person started as manager at the home in March 2018 and became registered manager in July 2018. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good.

People felt safe. They were supported by staff with a good understanding of how to safeguard them and how to raise concerns either internally or externally if they suspected harm or abuse. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. A dependency tool was used to help ensure that staffing levels continued to match the needs of the people living there. People’s individual risks were assessed and reviewed.

The home carried out monthly accident and incident audits. This included a description of what had happened, the result of the investigation, and follow up action taken. This helped reduce the risk of things happening again.

People had thorough pre-assessments to support their move to the home. These included people’s needs, preferences, social background and their abilities. People were supported by staff who had received an induction. This involved shadow shifts with more experienced staff and regular competency checks. People were supported to eat a balanced and healthy diet. They were given choice of what to eat and drink and could eat as much or as little as they wanted. Snacks were available to people outside of typical meal times. Where people required extra support with eating and drinking this was provided in line with guidance from health professionals.

People were supported to access health services such as dentists and dieticians to help maintain their health and well-being. Where people’s health needs changed there was timely contact with relevant health professionals. People were supported by staff who understood the importance of offering choice and support in line with what they needed and wanted. This gave people the opportunity to live their lives how they wanted to.

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. Where people lacked capacity to make particular decisions they were supported by staff who were trained and worked in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides the legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The Act requires that as far as possible people make their own decisions and are helped to do so when needed. When they lack capacity to make particular decisions, any made on their behalf must be in their best interests and least restrictive as possible.

Staff consistently demonstrated a kind and caring approach towards people. People’s privacy and dignity were supported at all times. They were given time and space to spend private and uninterrupted time with friends and relatives. People were encouraged to maintain their independence.

There was a varied and well publicised activities programme at the home supported by a new activities coordinator. The programme included group activities and 1:1 sessions in people’s rooms. These activities supported people to maintain their interests, develop new skills, and helped reduce the risk of isolation.

People were supported to maintain contact with family and friends. Relatives told us they could visit freely and were always made to feel welcome and involved. Staff were aware of people’s different communication needs and provided information in a way that was most beneficial for them. The home managed complaints in line with their policy. People and relatives expressed confidence that when issues were raised they were dealt with in a timely way and to their satisfaction.

Staff told us they enjoyed working there and felt supported by colleagues and the management team. Opportunities were provided for personal development. Regular team meetings were held to share information and learning. Annual surveys were used to find out how the service people received could be improved.

The home had developed good working relationships with healthcare professionals. This had resulted in pro-active in-reach services from GPs, hospice nurses and a local tissue viability team. These links helped to keep people well for longer and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

Further information is in the detailed findings below