Background to this inspection
Updated
9 February 2022
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.
As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 21 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.
Updated
9 February 2022
About the service
Cliffe Vale residential care home is situated in the Shipley area of Bradford. The home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 26 people, including people living with dementia. Accommodation is provided over three floors. At the time of the inspection there were 24 people living at the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Systems to monitor and check the service were in place but these needed to be more thorough to ensure the service consistently met the required standards. Improvements were needed in the management of fire safety, including checks on equipment, documentation and staff training. Medication was not always managed safely. Records showed people did not always receive their medicines on time.
Audits and checks were in place to monitor the quality of the service. Improvements were required to ensure they highlighted any shortfalls promptly. The registered manager was approachable and visible. They were open and honest throughout the inspection and were committed to addressing the issues we highlighted.
Recruitment was safely managed. The staff team were consistent and experienced and had the skills to support people appropriately. They were knowledgeable about people and the topics we asked them about. They did not always receive regular supervision and appraisal.
People’s care needs were assessed, and they received person-centred care from staff who understood their needs well. People’s care plans were detailed and up to date. The service was caring and there was a homely and relaxed atmosphere throughout. People were relaxed and comfortable and were treated in a warm and respectful manner. Some activities were available to people, but these were limited. We have made a recommendation about introducing more personalised activities.
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. Improvements were needed to some documentation to fully evidence compliance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA). We have made a recommendation about updating people’s documentation to fully reflect their involvement.
The service was responsive to people’s health and social care needs. There were very close links with health professionals and other agencies to ensure people’s health and nutrition needs were met and changes responded to promptly. We received positive feedback from health care professionals. One stated, “Cliffe Vale is a lovely care home. Staff are competent and very friendly and helpful.”
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 22 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Enforcement
We have found evidence the provider needs to make improvements. We have identified breaches in relation to the management of fire safety, medicines and governance at this inspection.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan for 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.