Archived: Nurses Cottage

Updated 16 February 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 inspection visit took place on 25 January 2016 and was announced and carried out by one inspector. The provider was given two days’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we wanted to make sure we had an opportunity to speak with people and staff. The provider also operated a day care provision and people who used the service consented to speaking with us within that service.

On this occasion we did not ask the provider to send us a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. However we offered the provider the opportunity to share information they felt relevant with us.

We used a range of different methods to help us understand people’s experience including visiting four people, three staff and the registered manager.

We looked at three people’s care records to see if their records were accurate and up to date. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service including quality checks.

Updated 16 February 2016

We inspected this service on 25 January 2016. This was an announced inspection and we notified the provider two days before our inspection in order to arrange to meet with people who used the service. This was the first inspection of this service.

Nurses Cottage provides domiciliary care for people who live in their own home in Tamworth. At the time of our inspection, eight people were receiving personal care support from the provider.

There was a registered manager in the service. 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.

The provider had systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of care. People were encouraged to give their feedback and this was used to drive improvements. Quality audits within the registered office had not been carried out to ensure the premises was safe.

People felt safe when they received care and were confident that the staff knew how they wanted to be supported. Staff understood how to minimise the chance of harm occurring to people and risks assessments recorded any concerns. Staff understood how to recognise potential harm and protect people from abuse and knew how to report concerns. Recruitment checks were made to confirm staff were of good character to work with people and sufficient staff were available to meet people's support needs.

People had capacity to make decisions about their own care and their consent was sought before staff provided any care and support. People received staff support at a time they wanted it and were happy with how the staff supported and helped them to take their medicine as prescribed.

Staff knew people well and were able to tell us how they supported people. There was a small team of staff who had the skills to meet people’s needs. The support was flexible and responsive to changes. People benefitted from having staff who had a good understanding of their individual challenges and supported them to retain their independence.

People were treated with care and kindness and their wellbeing was protected. People chose how support was delivered and they were involved in the review of their care. Staff listened to people’s views and they knew how to make a complaint or raise concerns. Staff helped people to understand what was happening so that they were not anxious or uncomfortable.