Whalley Road

Updated 2 December 2021

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.

We received information of concern about infection control and prevention measures at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 1 October 2021 and was unannounced.

Updated 2 December 2021

This inspection took place on 25 and 26 October 2017; the first day of the inspection was unannounced. We had previously carried out an inspection at the service in September 2016. During that inspection we found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This was because medicines were not always safely managed. Following that inspection, the provider sent us a plan which set out the action they were taking to meet the regulations. During this inspection we confirmed the required improvements had been made in relation to how medicines were managed in the service.

Whalley Road is a residential care home that provides accommodation, nursing care, support and rehabilitation for up to nine people with a mental illness or learning disability. The home is situated in the Accrington area of Lancashire. Accommodation is provided in single en suite bedrooms.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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. The registered manager had been responsible for managing the service since October 2016 and registered with CQC since 11 October 2017.

Staff had received training in safeguarding adults. They were able to tell us of the action they would take to protect people who used the service from the risk of abuse. The registered manager and staff were observed to have positive relationships with people living in the home.

One person who used the service told us they did not always feel safe in the home due to the behaviour of another individual. The registered manager told us they had taken action to involve external professionals and advocacy services in a review of this person’s care and support needs. This should help to ensure people felt safe living in the home.

Systems were in place to ensure staff were safely recruited. People who used the service told us staff provided the right level of support to meet their needs and to achieve their rehabilitation goals.

People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Robust systems were in place to ensure the safe handling of medicines. People were supported to take responsibility for their own medicines whenever possible.

Care records we reviewed included information about the risks people might experience. Care plans were in place to help ensure staff provided the level of support necessary to manage the identified risks. Care plans were regularly reviewed to address any changes in a person’s needs.

Regular checks took place to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the environment. People who used the service were responsible for cleaning their own bedrooms, with support from staff as necessary. Systems were also in place to reduce the risk of cross infection in the service.

Staff told us they received the induction, training and supervision they needed to be able to carry out their roles effectively. Staff demonstrated a commitment to providing high quality personalised care for the individuals who lived in the home.

Staff were able to demonstrate a good understanding of the legal frameworks under which people’s placements at Whalley Road were arranged. The registered manager had taken appropriate action to apply for restrictions in place in an individual’s best interests to be legally authorised.

People who used the service were encouraged to participate in activities which met their interests and helped to promote their health and well-being.

Records we reviewed showed that, where necessary, people were provided with support from staff to attend health appointments. People were also supported by staff, as far as possible, to maintain a healthy diet.

We noted systems were in place to encourage people who used the service to comment on the care and support they received. However, improvements needed to be made to document the actions taken by the registered manager to address any negative feedback received in satisfaction surveys.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at Whalley Road. However, we received mixed feedback about the leadership and management in the home and the wider service. Whilst some staff told us the registered manager and provider were approachable and supportive, other staff felt their opinions were not always listened to. In addition, some staff told us that the confidentiality of information shared with senior managers was not always maintained as requested.

We received positive feedback from community based professionals regarding the quality of care provided in the service.