Old Rectory Care Home

This inspection report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of The Old Rectory Residential Home. The report assesses the service against five key questions: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led. Overall, the inspection found that the home is providing a good standard of care, with particular strengths highlighted in how responsive the service is to residents' needs. The report details specific findings across each of these areas, offering insights into the day-to-day experience of residents and the effectiveness of the home's management.

On safety, residents and their families reported feeling safe, and staff demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures. Risk assessments were thorough, and medication was managed safely and according to individual preferences, with good feedback from healthcare professionals. Robust infection prevention and control measures were in place, ensuring the safety of residents during the ongoing pandemic.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs were comprehensively assessed and met with personalised care plans that were regularly updated. Staff received specialist training, enhancing their ability to support residents with complex health needs. The home also worked effectively with external healthcare professionals, receiving positive feedback for their proactive and knowledgeable approach. Residents were supported to eat well, with flexible mealtimes and menus developed in consultation with them.

The care provided at the home was noted as exceptionally kind and compassionate. Staff showed genuine passion for their work, treating residents with dignity and respect, and making them feel like part of a family. They took the time to understand residents' backgrounds and life histories, ensuring equality and diversity were respected in all aspects of care. Residents were actively involved in decisions about their care, with staff using various communication methods to ensure everyone's voice was heard.

The service was found to be outstandingly responsive, with staff working tirelessly to support residents, even achieving unexpected positive outcomes and helping people to recover from illness. The registered manager had successfully maintained strong relationships with families and healthcare professionals throughout the pandemic, creatively introducing and sustaining engaging activities for residents. Feedback from residents, relatives, and staff was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting a well-managed and supportive environment.

Regarding how well-led the service is, the registered manager demonstrated excellent knowledge of residents' diverse needs and provided highly personalised support. There was a proactive approach to strengthening relationships with external stakeholders and engaging residents creatively. A robust quality monitoring system was in place, ensuring a high standard of practice, and efforts were made to make information accessible to residents.

While the report highlights many positive findings, it is important to note any specific areas mentioned for development to ensure a complete understanding.