Priors Mead Care Home

Updated 21 February 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 14 January 2019 and it was unannounced.

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection we reviewed records held by the CQC which included notifications and any safeguarding concerns. Notifications are changes, events and incidents that the service must inform us about.

At the inspection we spoke with five people, two relatives and one visitor. We also observed the care that people received and how staff interacted with people. We spoke with seven staff, including the registered manager and a director. We reviewed care plans for seven different people. We looked at the risk assessments as well as mental capacity assessments and any applications made to deprive people of their liberty. We looked at four staff recruitment files and evidence that all staff had up to date training and supervision.

We reviewed accident and incident records, checked that mandatory policies and procedures were in place and the documentation that showed whether regular monitoring of equipment and the premises was being done. We reviewed the internal audits, feedback from surveys and responses to complaints to understand how well the service was being governed and managed.

Updated 21 February 2019

Priors Mead Care Home is a residential care home for up to 17 people over 65 years of age. At the time of our inspection on 14 January 2019 the home was fully occupied with 17 people. A number of people were living with dementia.

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were cared for safely at Priors Mead. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs, all of whom were permanent and had experience of care. People’s risks had been assessed and staff knew what actions to take as well as how to report any suspected abuse. Medicines were safely managed and infection control procedures were practised. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored to prevent reoccurrence.

People’s needs were assessed and kept under review. People were enabled to stay well and have their health needs met. Staff had the knowledge and skills to understand and care for each person. People enjoyed the food and risks to their nutrition or weight was monitored. The environment was homely and accessible for people. Technology was used effectively to support continuity of care. People’s consent was sought in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staff demonstrated an attentive and caring approach with people. They spent time with people, listening to and supporting people in the most appropriate way. They enabled people to make decisions about their care. People were treated with dignity and respect.

People received care that was personal to them and staff took an interest in their lives. There was a variety of day to day activities and weekly outings were arranged. People’s aspirations were known and staff made efforts to meet these wherever they could. Complaints were responded to in a personal way. People at end of life were cared for in a sensitive and safe way.

The service was well led and a registered manager was in post. The provider aimed to improve the service further and quality audits and feedback were used to assess how this might be achieved. The provider aspired to be an employee led organisation and staff were being prepared to be financially accountable in the future. People were given a chance to be involved in decisions and changes and regular meetings were held. Statutory notifications were sent to the CQC. Environmental and safety checks were in place. The service had established good links with community services, schools and groups that benefited the people they cared for.