We carried out a review of the data available to us about Victoria Court Private Rest Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Victoria Court Private Rest Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Victoria Court private Rest Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 18 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 29 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives gave us positive feedback on using the service. One relative said, “The staff do a lovely job here, they are great.” One person told us, “The staff are really good to you.”
Care and treatment were planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. Staff had received appropriate training. There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection and to learn lessons from accidents and incidents. Medication was dispensed by staff who had received training to do so.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The registered manager had been successful in driving improvements at the service. Systems had been put in place to monitor the service and improve outcomes for people.
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 9 February 2022). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this 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 information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
Victoria Court Rest Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 24 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 29 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Risks to people were still not consistently well managed and left people at potential risk of harm. Where risks related to the environment and premises were identified, action was not always taken in a timely manner to reduce the risks. Improvements were needed to medicines management.
Staff received appropriate training and supervision to provide effective care. The registered manager worked in partnership with other organisations to support people's needs. People were positive about the food. Improvements were needed to provide a more supportive environment for people living with dementia. We have made a recommendation in this area.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people to remain independent. People were positive about the support they received.
Care plans were not always reviewed appropriately. We have made a recommendation in relation to care planning.
Quality assurance processes were not effective and had not identified concerns in relation to management of risk and medicines management. The provider had not responded in a timely way to recommendations made from external inspections.
Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was good (published 13 March 2019).
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding to test the reliability of our new monitoring approach.
Enforcement
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.
We have identified breaches in relation to management of risk, medicines and governance.
Follow up
We have requested an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
Victoria court private rest home is a ‘care home’ for the elderly. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. It is situated is Southend on sea, Essex.
Victoria court private rest home provides accommodation and support for up to 29 people who may need assistance with personal care and may have care needs associated with living with dementia. There were 25 people living at the service at the time of our inspection. The home does not provide nursing care.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At our last inspection in June 2016, the overall rating of this service was Good. At this inspection we found the service to be good, however, some improvements needed to be made as to ensure people’s records were a true reflection of people's current care needs.
The service was not always safe. The service assessed and reviewed people’s health and wellbeing to minimise risk to health, however, we noted that this information was not always contained in people’s support plans. Whilst staff were knowledgeable about keeping people safe. Risk assessments were not always updated to reflect a change in people’s needs.
The service carried out appropriate recruitment checks before staff commenced employment. There was sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of people and keep them safe from potential harm or abuse. The service had an effective management and monitoring structure in place for the management of people’s medicines.
The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to support people to meet their needs. The manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The service supported people to eat and drink enough which ensured people maintained a balanced diet.
The service was caring. Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. People’s were encouraged to be independent and to make informed decisions about their care.
The service was responsive. The service had not carried out regular care plans reviews and recorded changes were made when needed. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The service responded to complaints received in a timely manner.
The service was well led. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis. The manager told us that current systems and processes where being updated and improved.
Victoria Lodge provides accommodation and personal care without nursing for up to 29 persons some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 27 people were living at the service.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. People’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff. Medication was dispensed by staff who had received training to do so.
People were safeguarded from the potential of harm and their freedoms protected. Staff were provided with training in Safeguarding Adults from abuse, Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The manager was up-to-date with the law regarding DoLS and knew how to make a referral if required.
People had sufficient amounts to eat and drink to ensure that their dietary and nutrition needs were met. The service worked well with other professionals to ensure that people's health needs were met. People's care records showed that, where appropriate, support and guidance was sought from health care professionals, including a doctor, district nurse and palliative care nurse.
Staff were attentive to people's needs. Staff were able to demonstrate that they knew people well. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.
People were provided with the opportunity to participate in activities which interested them. These activities were diverse to meet people’s social needs. People knew how to make a complaint should they need to.
The service had a number of ways of gathering people’s views including talking with people, staff, and relatives. The manager carried out quality monitoring to help ensure the service was running effectively and to make improvements.
We looked at five care plans during our visit and found that they were personalised and contained information that enabled care staff to meet people's needs. Staff spoken with told us that the care plans were clear and detailed the support that was required. One relative we spoke with said, "The staff are affectionate and caring and I am notified if there is ever an issue. They are well trained and I would recommend them to anyone."
The provider had effective infection control systems in place to reduce the risk of cross infection. The cleaning of the home was undertaken on a regular basis and kitchen hygiene was of a good standard.
Staffing levels were maintained and there was a system in place to manage shortages when they arose. Training schedules reflected that mandatory and other training was being undertaken and monitored.
The provider undertook surveys with people using the service and relatives to obtain their views as to how the service could be improved. Staff views were also sought at team meetings and complaints and adverse incidents were analysed to identify areas for improvement.
People experienced care, treatment and support that met their needs and protected their rights. People had detailed care plans relating to aspects of their care needs. One person said, 'Staff are always there for me." A relative told us, "My family member is always clean and tidy when I visit".
People were cared for by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff. We found that staff understood the needs of people using the service and had the skills necessary to ensure that their health and wellbeing was maintained.
A complaints procedure was available and outlined the service's responsibility to acknowledge people's complaints and to feedback a final outcome. People told us that if they had any concerns or complaints they were confident to use the complaints system.