Ryton Towers

Updated 21 July 2023

The inspection

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors 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.

Service and service type

Ryton Towers is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Ryton Towers is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We contacted the local authority commissioning team for their feedback about the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people who lived at Ryton Towers and 10 people's relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed interactions between staff and people in communal areas. We spoke with 8 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, team leaders, care staff and the cook. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people's care and medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

Updated 21 July 2023

About the service

Ryton Towers is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 43 people in one building with extensive gardens. The service provides support to people living with dementia and those requiring support with personal care. At the time of our inspection there were 43 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received exceptional care at the end of their lives. People were supported to make choices about end-of-life care which were respected and enacted. Relatives and staff felt supported by the management team when someone close to them passed away.

People were supported to be involved in activities and be part of the local community. Everyone we spoke to commented on the quality and variety of activities and events available to them.

People were safe from the risk of abuse. Risks to people were assessed and regularly reviewed when people's needs changed. The building was well maintained, and health and safety risks were assessed. Medicines were managed safely.

The provider employed sufficient staff, staff were trained appropriately and recruited safely. Staff worked effectively with visiting professionals. Infection control measures were in place, and visiting was managed safely.

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

People and relatives said staff were kind, caring and knew people’s needs and preferences well. The management team and staff went above and beyond to provide person-centred care to people. People were supported to maintain their independence and were treated with dignity and respect. Families were supported to learn about dementia and how that may affect their loved one.

There was a positive culture. Staff and relatives said the management team were supportive. Quality assurance checks were taking place, lessons had been learnt and improvements were made continuously.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 17 May 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.