Background to this inspection
Updated
23 September 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 team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
Earlsfield Court 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. The registered manager was on annual leave at the time of the inspection.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed the information we held about the service and the service provider. We looked at notifications and any safeguarding alerts we had received for this service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law.
The provider was 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We looked around the service and met with the people who lived there.
We spoke with five people to understand their views and experiences of the service and we observed how staff supported people. We spoke with the deputy manager, the operations consultant, a quality manager and seven further staff members. This included care staff, housekeeping, administrative, catering staff and maintenance staff. We were able to speak with two visitors and a visiting professional during the inspection.
We reviewed the care records of four people and a range of other documents. For example, medicine records, three staff recruitment files; staff training records and records relating to the management of the service. We also looked at staff rotas, and records relating to health and safety.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with four relatives and a visiting health care professional and completed these discussions on 27 August 2021.
Updated
23 September 2021
About the service
Earlsfield Court is registered to provide residential care to older people, including those people
living with dementia and a physical disability. Accommodation was provided over three floors which were staffed as separate units. Two floors were currently in use, but the service was for up to 72 people. The ground floor provided care and support for people who lived with general frailty and a range of conditions such as Parkinson's disease and mobility problems. The top floor was a dedicated to people who lived with dementia. There were 23 people living at the home at the time of the inspection. Six people were on the top floor and 17 were on the ground floor.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
A new management team had recently been appointed at the service. Communication and quality systems throughout the service needed to be developed further to support quality care. This included effective communication between staff and the use of information from complaints and accidents/incidents gathered to develop the service. These areas were identified as an area for improvement.
People's medicines were handled safely. There were suitable arrangements in place to assess and respond to any risk to people. The service was clean and infection prevention control measures followed meant people were protected, as far as possible, from the risk of COVID-19. Visiting professionals told us, “They are adhering well to COVID-19 guidance for residents and visiting staff.”
People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination because staff knew how to recognise and respond to any possible abuse. There were enough staff working and available to ensure people’s needs were met in a timely way. Staff were recruited safely.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives. Any restriction was kept to a minimum and took account of people’s best interest. Policies and procedures were in place to support practice.
People received personalised care that was delivered by staff who had a good understanding of their needs and how they should be met. People had access to health professionals to promote their health and well-being. One relative told us, “You cannot beat the care provided here.” Another said, “I would recommend this service to other people.”
Staff received a varied training programme that ensured they had suitable skills to care for people. Staff were supported and had the opportunity to develop new skills. People's nutritional needs were assessed recorded and responded to, including specific health diets.
People and their relatives were treated with kindness and compassion. People were encouraged and supported to maintain their independence. People’s privacy and dignity was protected.
People had choice and control over the activities and entertainment they wanted to participate in each day. Technology was used to keep families in contact by skype and email. Staff knew people's communication needs well and staff communicated with people in an effective way.
The provider was committed to supporting the new management team to develop structures and plans to deliver sustainable good care. Notifications had been completed to inform CQC and other outside organisations when events occurred.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered on the 6 February 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection to rate the service.
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 intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.