Archived: Glendon House

Updated 31 May 2017

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.’

This inspection took place on 23 and 26 January 2017 and was unannounced. It was carried out by two 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.

During the inspection we spoke with six people living in the home, the relatives of four people and one person’s close friend. We made general observations of the care and support people received at the service throughout the day. We also spoke with the registered manager, three members of care staff, kitchen staff, a district nurse and a speech and language therapist.

We reviewed four people’s care records and medicines administration record (MAR) charts. We looked at three records relating to staff recruitment and training, induction and supervision records. We also reviewed a range of audits and reports undertaken by the registered manager and provider.

Updated 31 May 2017

This inspection took place on 23 and 26 January 2017 and was unannounced.

Glendon House provides accommodation and care for up to 36 people, many of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 30 people were living in the home.

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 on 21 and 24 of March 2016, we asked the provider to take actions to make sure that care and treatment was provided to people in a safe way. This was because we found that actions to mitigate known risks were not always taken. This action had been completed but further improvements were still required.

The provider was also required to implement suitable systems to monitor and mitigate risks to the welfare of people who lived in the home. They were also required to evaluate practice in this area. This action had not been completed. During this inspection we found that the provider was still in breach of this regulation of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

People’s medicines were not managed in a safe way and were not regularly audited. It was unclear whether people who were prescribed topical creams were administered them as prescribed due to the gaps on the administration records.

There was a lack of effective systems in place to monitor and assess the quality of the service being delivered. Regular audits of people’s medicines were not carried out and the audits undertaken by the provider did not highlight that people’s care records were not being completed appropriately.

Mealtimes at Glendon House were busy and at times people became distressed. Whilst referrals were made to relevant healthcare professionals when concerns had been identified regarding a person’s nutritional and hydration needs, records relating to how staff supported people in maintaining these needs were not always completed.

Steps were taken to assess and mitigate environmental risks. Risk assessments for the home were in place and regular checks of the kitchen and the cleanliness of the home took place. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored and measures had been taken to prevent further occurrences.

The manager was approachable and knew people who lived in Glendon House well. They also had a good overview of the culture of the home. Staff were supported through regular supervisions and were clear about their responsibilities.

People felt safe living in Glendon House and staff knew what constituted abuse. Staff also knew what actions they would take to report any concerns around abuse. There were safe recruitment practices in place and appropriate references were sought before staff started working in the home.

There were enough staff on duty to support people and people were supported by staff who had received training relevant to their role. Staff were also able to request additional training which related to people’s specific support needs.

The service operated in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Appropriate applications had been made to the authorising body for authorisation to deprive people of their liberty in order to keep them safe.

Staff knew how to communicate with people so they could make choices about their care and be involved in reviewing their care needs. People’s care and support needs were assessed on a regular basis and prompt referrals were made to relevant healthcare professionals where concerns were identified.

A range of activities took place in the home for people but these did not always cater for people’s interests. People and their relatives told us that people were not always consulted about their interests before the activities were organised. People were able to have their relatives and friends visit without restriction and visitors were made welcome.

People were supported by staff who were caring and attentive. Staff knew people’s needs well and supported people to be as independent as possible. Staff were encouraging and patient with people. People’s dignity and privacy was consistently upheld and staff spoke respectfully to people and visitors.