Background to this inspection
Updated
19 February 2016
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.
The inspection took place on the 11 January 2016 and was unannounced. At the time of our inspection the service was without a registered manager but there was an interim manager in day to day control.
Before the inspection we looked at information we already held about the service; including the previous inspection report and notifications which are important events affecting the service which the provider must notify us of.
The membership of the inspection team included four inspectors one of whom was on induction.
During our inspection we spoke with one visitor, twelve people using the service, eleven staff, including three nurses, the deputy manager, the acting manager, the house keeper, the chef, activities coordinator and care staff. We also spoke with three of the provider/owners. We carried out a medication audit and observations of medicines and care practices. We looked at records in relation to staffing, care and the management of the business.
Updated
19 February 2016
The inspection took place on the 11 January 2016 and was unannounced. The last inspection to this service was on the 22 September 2013 and we found the service to be meeting the standards required.
The home provided residential and nursing care to up to 47 older people. At the time of the inspection there were 34 people.
There was no registered manager at the service but there was an interim manager and the provider was working hard to appoint a full time manager. 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.
This was a well-managed service run in the interest of people using it. People felt safe and there were processes in place to help maintain people’s safety such as robust recruitment processes and adequate training for staff so they had the skills to identify where someone might be at risk and what they should do about it.
Risk assessments were completed and showed the home were proactive in taking steps to reduce the likelihood of accidents/incidents or other factors which might result in avoidable harm.
Medication processes were mainly robust and medicines administered by staff who were adequately trained to do so.
The home had enough staff but at times people felt their care was compromised by having to wait particularly in the morning. Staff said there were enough staff other than if staff rang in sick as short notice. They said they were able to meet people’s needs in a timely way.
Improvements were being made in the way staff were supported particularly through their induction/probationary period. Staff received the necessary training to ensure they had the skills and competencies for their role.
Staff supported people lawfully and care was provided safely in accordance to people’s wishes. Where a person lacked capacity staff knew to support the person in their best interest and do this collaboratively.
People’s dietary needs were being met and improvements in the way food was presented and received were reported.
People had their health care needs met and staff were identifying changes in people’s needs and reporting them accordingly.
Staff were kind and caring. They promoted people’s independence and respected people’s right to determine how they wished their care to be provided.
People were regularly consulted about their own care needs and asked for feedback about the service delivery. This enabled adjustments to be made so people got the service they wanted.
People’s needs were recorded and information gathered was constantly reviewed and added to. This provided the basis for personalised care which met people’s needs.
The home provided opportunities for people to have meaningful engagement, stay connected with their past and provide sufficient mental stimulation. Staff were sensitive to people’s needs and gave opportunity for reflection, celebration and learning and retaining new skills in an imaginative way.
The home was led in a consultative way where the value and contribution of each staff member was recognised and contributed to the provision of a service that had all the hall marks of excellence.
The provider engaged positively with the inspection programme and showed a real passion and enthusiasm to be the best they could be and address anything brought to their attention and through their own auditing processes.