Albany House

Updated 17 October 2018

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 21 September 2018 and was unannounced. One inspector carried out the inspection.

Prior to the inspection we contacted external commissioners of the service from the local authority and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), as well as the local authority safeguarding team and the local Healthwatch. We used their feedback during the planning of this inspection.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During our inspection we spoke with four people who used the service. We spoke with a range of staff including the registered manager, the deputy manager and two care workers. We viewed a range of records including three care records, five people's medicine records, training records and other records relating to the quality and safety of the service.

Updated 17 October 2018

Albany House is a residential care home for 10 people with enduring mental health needs. The accommodation is across three floors of a large house. When we inspected there were five people living at the home.

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People and staff felt the home was safe. Staff were aware of safeguarding and the provider’s whistle blowing procedure. They told us they had no concerns about people’s safety but would report concerns if required.

There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs in a timely way. There was a visible staff presence during our visit to the home. New staff were recruited safely.

Medicines were managed well with accurate records available to show which medicines staff had given to people. Staff had been trained to administer medicines and assessed as competent to do so.

Regular health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out. The provider had up-to-date procedures to help ensure people remained safe in an emergency.

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

People were supported to meet their nutritional needs. People chose what they wanted to eat and drink each day. Staff encouraged people to have a diet which balanced both their preferences and their medical conditions.

Staff supported people with their health care needs. For example, supporting people to attend medical appointments.

People’s needs had been assessed both before and after admission to the home. Care plans reflected people’s needs and preferences. Care plans were evaluated regularly so they contained information about people’s current needs. People chose how they spent their time and could take part in activities if they wanted to.

People said they had not had cause to complain about their care. There was a complaints procedure should anyone wish to complain. There had been no complaints received since we last inspected.

The provider carried out quality assurance checks to ensure people received a good standard of care. People and staff had provided feedback when they were consulted about the home.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.