Archived: The Moat House

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an expert by experience.

The Moat House is a service providing personal care and nursing. It also provides care for people living with dementia. It is registered for 72 people. On the day of our inspection 62 people were using the service.

There was a registered manager 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.

People felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs of abuse and knew how to report any concerns. People had risk assessments in place, which had been reviewed, to enable them to be as independent as they could be.

There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, on duty to support people with their needs. Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service to ensure appropriate staff were employed to provide care for people.

Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service.

Staff received a comprehensive induction process and on-going training. They were well supported by the registered manager and senior staff and had regular one to one time for supervisions. Staff had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people.

Staff gained consent before supporting people. People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people.

People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support when required. People were encouraged to have a healthy balanced diet. Special diets were catered for.

People were supported to access a variety of health professional when required, including opticians and doctors.

Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care and support.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.

People were supported to follow their interests and join in a variety of activities. Specific activity staff were employed who arranged a number of activities for people to participate in.

A complaints procedure was in place and accessible to all. People knew how to complain.

Effective quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement where necessary.

We saw that staff were knowledgeable about people's needs and promoted their independence. We saw staff had a good understanding and awareness of people's care needs and preferences and they sought people's consent before providing care and treatment.

One person who used the service told us: 'The home is very comfortable and staff are polite to me."

A visiting health care professional told us "It's a lovely home they provide a good standard of care which is very person centred and has good leadership."

There were systems in place for the protection of people who used the service from abuse. Staff were able to explain what constitutes abuse and what they would do if they saw or were made aware of abuse.

We saw that staff received regular training, which had enabled them to gain the skills and knowledge required to support people who used the service. Staff told us they felt supported by their managers. We saw that staffing levels are regularly reviewed and action is taken to address any additional staffing requirements due to an increase in people's needs.

We saw that complaints were dealt with according to the provider's policies

We re-inspected the service on 21 February 2013 and found improvements had been made across these areas. We found that staff were aware of procedures relating to safeguarding of vulnerable adults. We saw there was information and documents for staff to refer to if they suspected abuse. We found that staff knew how to report any concerns to more senior staff or to the local safeguarding authority.

We also found that staff had received appropriate induction and update training. We saw that staff had regular supervision with senior staff.