The Gouldings

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 completed by one inspector.

Service and service type The Gouldings 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.

Notice of inspection We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be available to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included inspection reports, action plans submitted by the provider and notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection We spoke with nine people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 15 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, three assistant managers, six care workers, two housekeeping staff, two catering staff. We also spoke with members of the providers

management team including the group manager, service manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We observed care being provided within communal areas of the home and viewed the home and garden.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, staff supervision and staff training. We viewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including records of accidents and incidents, quality monitoring audits and records relating to the maintenance of the home's environment.

After the inspection We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We contacted four external health or social care professionals. We looked at training data, policies and procedures, complaints and further quality assurance records.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found