Netley Court

This report provides an overview of the CQC inspection of Netley Court, a residential care home. The inspection focused on how safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led the service is. It details the findings from observations, discussions with residents, relatives, and staff, and a review of care records and policies. The aim is to give families a clear picture of the home's performance and areas of focus.

On safety, the home ensures residents are protected from avoidable harm, with robust recruitment processes and regular checks on equipment. However, some staff expressed concerns about having enough colleagues on duty to meet resident needs, and there were instances where medicine refrigerator temperatures were outside the recommended range. In terms of how effective the care is, residents receive support that maximises their choice and control, delivered in the least restrictive way possible. Care plans are regularly updated, and staff are trained in safeguarding.

When it comes to caring, residents and their relatives consistently praised staff for their kindness, respect, and dedication. Staff make an effort to understand individual preferences and support residents’ independence. However, some staff feel they have limited time to spend with residents due to workload pressures and a desire to thoroughly read and act upon the detailed information available about each person. Regarding responsiveness, the home ensures that residents' needs are met, and they are involved in decisions about their care. Communication preferences are understood, and care plans document important decisions and wishes, including advance care plans.

In terms of being well-led, the management team has made efforts to foster a positive culture, though staff feedback indicates a perception that management is not always approachable or visible on the floor. While audits and quality assurance processes are in place to drive improvements, staff feel that management availability, especially outside standard working hours, could be enhanced to provide more direct support. The introduction of new systems for equipment checks is ongoing, aiming to improve oversight.