Archived: The Granby

Updated 13 November 2015

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.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included any safeguarding alerts and outcomes, complaints, previous inspection reports and notifications that the provider had sent to CQC. Notifications are information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law. The manager had also completed a Provider Information Return (PIR).The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

This inspection took place on 23 September 2015 and was unannounced.

The inspection was carried out 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.

We spoke with seven people who used the service, the manager, operations manager and seven members of staff during the course of our visit.

We looked at four people’s care records to see how their care was assessed and planned. We reviewed how medicines were managed and the records relating to this. We checked three staff recruitment files and the records kept for staff allocation, training and supervision. We looked around the premises and at records for the management of the service including quality assurance audits, action plans and health and safety records.

We contacted the local authority commissioners and Healthwatch to ask for their views and to ask if they had any concerns about the home. From the feedback we received no one had any concerns.

Updated 13 November 2015

This inspection took place on 23 September 2015 and was unannounced.

At our last inspection on 5 June 2013 the provider was meeting the regulations that were assessed.

Granby Court provides personal care and accommodation for up to 48 older people. The service is located within a converted hotel. Accommodation is provided over three floors accessible by a passenger lift. All bedrooms are single occupancy and have en suite facilities. The home is within walking distances of Harrogate town centre and local amenities. On the day of the inspection there were 37 people living at the service.

There was a new manager in place who was in the process of applying to be registered. 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.

People and their relatives told us they felt safe at Granby Court. Staff knew the correct procedures to follow if they considered someone was at risk of harm or abuse. They had received appropriate safeguarding training and there were policies and procedures to support them in their role.

The service had systems in place for recording and analysing incidents and accidents so that action could be taken to reduce risk to people’s safety. Risk assessments were completed so that risks to people could be minimised whilst still supporting people to remain independent.

There were enough qualified and skilled staff at the service and staff received on going training and management support. Staff had a range of training specific to the needs of people they supported.

The service had policies and procedures in place for the recruitment of staff to help ensure that people were protected from unsafe care.

People received their medicines at the times they needed them. The systems in place meant medicines were administered and recorded properly and this was audited regularly by the service and the dispensing pharmacist. Staff were assessed for competency prior to administering medication and this was reassessed regularly.

People had their nutritional needs met. People were offered a varied diet and were provided with sufficient drinks and snacks. People who required special diets were catered for.

People had good access to health care services and the service was committed to working in partnership with healthcare professionals.

People were offered choices, supported to feel involved and staff knew how to communicate effectively with each individual according to their needs. People were relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff.

Staff were patient, attentive and caring; they respected people’s privacy and upheld their dignity when providing care and support.

People were provided with a range of activities in and outside the service which met their individual needs and interests. Individuals were also supported to maintain relationships with their relatives and friends.

People’s rights were protected because the provider acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This is legislation that protects people who are not able to consent to care and support, and ensures people are not unlawfully restricted of their freedom or liberty. The manager and staff understood the requirements and took appropriate action where a person may be deprived of their liberty.

People’s needs were regularly assessed, monitored and reviewed to make sure the care met people’s individual needs. The provider was in the process of amending the current care plan format in order to ensure the information was more easily accessible and person centred.

People knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy and all the people we spoke with told us that they felt that they could talk with any of the staff if they had a concern or were worried about anything.

Staff and people who used the service spoke positively about the new manager. They told us in the short time they had been employed at the home they were was supportive and encouraged an open and inclusive atmosphere. People, their relatives and staff were provided with opportunities to make their wishes known and to have their voice heard.

There were good auditing and monitoring systems in place to identify where improvements were required and the service had an action plan to address these.

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