The Grange

Updated 17 September 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 and an Expert by Experience was used. 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

The Grange is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. The Grange is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

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 unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 3 August and ended on 10 August. We visited the location’s service on 3 and 8 August 2022.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven people who lived in the service and three relatives. We joined some people for lunch. We talked to nine members of staff including the two home owners (provider), registered manager, care coordinator, a senior carer, two care staff, the cook and head of housekeeping.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. We also looked at staff training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed including accidents and incidents and quality checks and audits.

Updated 17 September 2022

About the service

The Grange is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 29 older people. There are 26 single rooms which are used as single rooms unless anyone has a specific need to share. The service provides support to older people who are able to independently mobilise around the service. At the time of our inspection there were 25 older people using the service.

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

Everyone told us they would recommend the service due to the care and attention of the staff. One person told us, “The owners, you can just feel that they care. Their priority is the care of the residents and not money.” Another person told us, “The staff are all great. Nothing’s too much trouble for them, some are actually more like friends to me now, rather than my carers.”

The aims of the service was for people who were independently mobile, to maintain their independence, make decisions made about their care and continue with histories and hobbies. Staff effectively supported people to achieve these aims.

People and their relatives said the service was well-managed and the managers and owners were open and approachable. A positive culture had been nurtured at the service where people felt confident to speak up and their views were listened to and acted on.

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.

There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. People said they never had to wait a long time to be supported and staff had time to sit and chat to them, which they very much enjoyed. Staff were provided with suitable training to ensure their skills and knowledge were up to date. Staff felt well supported by the management team, which helped them to provide person-centred care.

People had access to health care support and the service worked in collaboration with health care professionals to ensure their health needs were met. People received their medicines as prescribed.

Quality checks ensured people received safe, effective and responsive care. These checks included feedback from people and their relatives to help the service improve.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 3 December 2019).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services which have had a recent Direct Monitoring Approach (DMA) assessment where no further action was needed to seek assurance about this decision and to identify learning about the DMA process.

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.

Follow up

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