Archived: The Old Vicarage

We issued warning notices to the provider and manager following our last visit which required improvements to be made. We therefore carried out this visit to check that the home had made improvements and arrived unannounced on 5 October 2011.

We spoke with a number of the people who live there, as well as members of the staff team and the registered manager.

Not all service users could comment about their care due to their disabilities. However, some made comments such as, 'It's lovely here'. One said the staff looked after her well and that she liked the food. When asked she said that no social activities took place because staff did not have the time to do this.

One person told us that she was 'putting on weight' but did not mind, and that she was very happy in home. Another person when asked said that a care worker had shown them their care plan and that they were happy with the content, she said that living in the service 'feels like a family'.

We spoke to health professionals who visit the home to provide healthcare to some of the service users. They told us that care staff always follow the advice they give in respect of their patients. One said that the staff were very good at reporting any health concerns about their patients and that she had observed staff offering appropriate assistance to people who need help due to mobility difficulties.

A visiting relative said his relative enjoyed joining in singing activities. Two visitors said they had not observed any social activities taking place when they visit at different times of the day and evenings. Care staff told us social activities included the hairdresser and visits by the private company. A care worker said 'We haven't got time to help with the social side. We do the best we can do with the staff we have got'.

A relative of a service user said that staff always helped to keep her relative clean and well dressed and they gave assistance to her with personal care in the way she had requested.

Visitors said the health of their relatives was monitored well and their general practitioner consulted whenever appropriate. They also confirmed that routine health checks were carried out, such as eye tests, dentistry and chiropody.

A relative said they made many visits at different times of the day or evening and found the staff to be good.

We spoke with a health professional who visits the home regularly who said they had no concerns about the care of service users and that the staff were always friendly and welcoming.

Relatives were satisfied that they could raise any concerns, if they needed to and that these would be dealt with.