New Tyne

Updated 23 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 24 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 23 March 2021

The inspection took place on 12 and 13 April 2018 and was unannounced.

New Tyne is a residential care home registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 20 people who have a diagnosis of dementia or who are being assessed for this condition. At the time of our inspection, 19 people were living at the home. Fifteen rooms are allocated on a permanent basis, with five rooms reserved for people on short breaks or on respite care. Communal areas include a large sitting room with adjacent dining area and access to enclosed gardens. Accommodation is on one floor and bedrooms have en-suite facilities. New Tyne is a ‘care home’. People in care homes received accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and care provided and both were looked at during this inspection.

A registered manager was in post. 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.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Requires Improvement under Effective and a requirement was made in relation to a breach of Regulation 11, need for consent. Staff did not have a thorough understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. At this inspection, we found that steps had been taken to address the issue. Overall the rating has improved to Good.

Staff did not receive regular supervision with their line managers in line with the provider's policy, however, this lack of supervision did not impact on the care people received. The registered manager was already aware of the issue and was striving to complete all outstanding supervisions with staff at the time of the inspection. Following the inspection, the registered manager sent us an action plan which stated that all staff would have a supervision by the end of May 2018. Supervision dates for each staff member would be planned at eight weekly intervals for the year ahead. However, systems were not effective in ensuring that staff received supervisions as needed. We have made a recommendation in relation to this.

Staff completed a range of training relevant to their work and were encouraged to become ‘Dementia Friends’, to make a positive difference to people living with dementia. New Tyne provided a ‘dementia friendly’ environment for people and thought had been given to exploring ways of working with others to promote understanding of this condition. People were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink and had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. When people were referred to the home, meetings took place between professionals and staff to ensure people’s needs could be met and the appropriate support provided. The home and gardens were accessible for people with safe space to explore outside. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People felt safe living at the home. Staff knew what action to take if they suspected abuse was taking place and had been trained appropriately. Risks to people were identified, assessed and managed safely; care records provided staff with information about people’s risks. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs. Recruitment systems were robust. Medicines were managed safely and staff were trained in the administration of medicines. The home was clean and smelled fresh. Infection control audits were completed. When things went wrong, staff learned from these incidents.

People were looked after by kind and caring staff who knew them well. People and their relatives spoke positively about staff who were warm, patient and friendly. As much as they were able, people were involved in decisions relating to their care and encouraged to make choices. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.

Care records were detailed and current. They provided information and guidance for staff on how to care for people and meet their support needs in line with their preferences. Care was personalised and people’s cultural and spiritual needs were catered for. A variety of activities was organised within the home and out in the community. People and their relatives knew how to make a complaint and would discuss any concerns with the registered manager or deputy manager. If people’s needs could be met, they could live out their days at New Tyne and staff had completed training in end of life care.

A range of audits was in place to measure and monitor the quality of care delivered and the service overall. People and their relatives were encouraged to be involved in developing the service. Carers’ meetings took place and people were asked for their feedback about the home. The home raised funds to provide additional activities and undertake improvements around the home. People and their relatives were positive about the care they received and commented on the atmosphere of the home. Staff felt well supported by management and enjoyed working at the home.