During the inspection on 11 July 2014 there were 37 people using the service. We spoke with four people who used the service and four relatives and asked them about the care they or their family member received. We carried out a tour of the building and reviewed records relevant to the running of the service. We observed staff interaction with people throughout the home.We spoke with the registered manager, care manager, a team leader, two care assistants and a health care professional visiting the home on the day of our inspection.
Throughout this inspection we focused on these five key questions; is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what we observed, the records we looked at and what people who used the service and the staff told us.
If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
People received care in an environment that was safe. The communal areas and the bedrooms that we looked at within the home were generally clean and tidy.
A relative we spoke with told us, 'I haven't found any problems. I know they are safe with their care, and safe in the building.' Another relative said, 'My relative is definitely safe in the home.'
We saw people received their prescribed medication and this was handled and stored safely. We observed staff administer people's medication in a safe manner whilst ensuring they respected their wishes and maintained their dignity.
People were supported in their movement in a safe manner, using more than one staff member where required and using equipment where needed in a safe way.
The CQC monitors the operation of the DOLS which applies to care homes. DOLS are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Correctly applied DOLS make sure that people in care homes are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom. The safeguards should ensure that care homes only deprive someone of their liberty in a safe and correct way, and that this is only done when it is in the best interests of the person and there is no other way to look after them.
The manager told us there were no people who currently needed a DOLS order, but they would ensure that for anyone who did require an assessment, it would be completed and submitted to the authorising body in a timely manner.
Staffing levels were appropriate to keep people safe and to provide appropriate levels of care. One person who used the service told us, "The staff look after me well, I always feel safe here.'
Is the service effective?
We saw improvements had been made since the last inspection and work was on-going to make the home more comfortable and more user friendly for people living with dementia. We saw a dementia framework award which was won by the home in August 2013.
People were consulted on decisions relating to their care. People we spoke felt included and relatives we spoke felt their opinions and views on decisions regarding their family member were welcomed. One relative of a person who lived at the home told us, 'The care is good, the only concern I have is that we are not always informed enough about what happens in the home. We filled in a questionnaire they sent us and said that we were happy. They keep [my relative] safe and they get on well with others in the home.' The person told us the manager had agreed to meet with them to discuss their concerns.
Is the service caring?
We spoke with relatives of people who used the service and asked them if they felt their family member was safe and well cared for by the staff. One person told us, 'Every time we've gone in we have seen good care being provided. The staff are good, we always see them using two people when lifting.'
We observed staff interact with people who used the service. They were caring and attentive in their approach and did not rush people. They observed people's dignity and wishes at all times. We observed a person being transferred by hoist to a soft chair in the dining area for lunch. Two staff supported them during hoisting and talked to them to tell them what was happening and offer reassurance, whilst checking the person was happy and comfortable with what was happening.
Is the service responsive?
We saw staff respond to people's needs throughout the inspection. Staff responded promptly to people's requests for help and support. When people needed help, staff were there to assist them. A member of staff told us, 'We are trained to 'record and report' any changes or incidents that is our policy. We keep daily records of a person's care I take my role very seriously and responsibly and my colleagues share that attitude.'
The manager told us they welcomed people's views and responded to them. Questionnaires had been issued to people who used the service and their relatives. The responses received were positive.
There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people's needs. A visiting relative said, 'I can't complain, staff numbers could always be improved in any care home, but personal care is done well by all the staff.'
We saw a person's care records included a letter from a nutritionist, stating the need for the person to be given a dietary supplement due to weight loss. The person's care plan was amended to include the supplement and their weight was recorded and monitored.
Is the service well-led?
We asked people who used the service, their relatives and staff whether they felt the service was well led by the management team. A relative we spoke with told us, " I know I only need to pick up the phone and the manager will sort out any problems for me."
We saw improvements had been made since the last inspection. We saw there was now a better system of staff supervision and training in place to ensure staff had the right skills and approach to provide good care for people. Staff spoke positively about the manager. One staff member told us, 'I enjoy working here. We've got a lovely team and a good manager and team leaders to support us."
Another member of staff told us they felt listened to by managers, and staff meetings were held to allow staff to express any concerns and share information about the needs of individuals.