Background to this inspection
Updated
19 May 2017
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.
This inspection took place on 22 March 2017 and was unannounced. We returned on the 23 March 2017 to complete the inspection. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector 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.’
Prior to the inspection we looked at all information available to us. This included looking at any notifications submitted by the service. Notifications are information about specific events that the provider is required to tell us about. During the inspection we spoke with the provider, manager and deputy manager who were available throughout the inspection. In addition, we spoke with the activities co-ordinator, the chef, and two care workers.
Some people were not able to tell us themselves whether they liked living at Alpine Villa, so we observed the care and support they received and how staff interacted with them. We spoke with five people and one relative.
As part of the inspection we reviewed the care records for four people living in the home. We looked at staff records and other records relating to the running of the home. This included staff supervision, training and recruitment records, quality auditing processes and policies and procedures.
Updated
19 May 2017
This inspection took place on 22 March 2017 and was unannounced. We returned to complete the inspection on 23 March 2017. The last inspection took place in March 2015 where we found a breach of Regulation 18 in relation to the requirement to submit statutory notifications to the commission. At this inspection we found the provider had met this shortfall and the service were now meeting the requirements of this regulation.
Alpine Villa provides care and accommodation for up to fifteen older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were thirteen people using the service.
The home did not have a registered manager in place. 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.
Procedures were in place to manage and dispense people’s medicines safely. Medicines audits were also undertaken. Stock levels that we checked were correct. There were risk assessments in place to ensure that staff received guidance in how to support people safely. These were reviewed and updated accordingly when necessary.
Staffing levels were assessed to determine the number of staff hours required and we found there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. People told us they felt there were enough staff to meet their needs. Safe recruitment practices were in place and staff were confident in recognising potential abuse and what action they must take. Staff received support through supervision and training and felt supported by the management team.
Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and care records were underpinned by the Act and enabled people to make decisions and be involved in their care and support.
People told us they had sufficient to eat and drink and had a varied and nutritious diet.
People received care which was responsive to their individual needs. People were able to follow their own preferred routines during the day, for example by getting up and going to bed when they wished. Staff worked with healthcare professionals to ensure that professional advice was sought when necessary.
Staff were kind and caring and treated people with respect. People were encouraged to maintain relationships with other people that were important to them.
There was a range of activities which people could take part in, both individually and as a group.
Staff reported feeling well supported and able to raise any concerns or issues. There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. This included a programme of audits that included: medicines, the environment and people’s care plans.