Background to this inspection
Updated
11 June 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type:
This service is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, both of which we looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection:
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did:
Before our inspection, we completed our planning document and reviewed the information we held on the service. This included notifications we had received from the provider about incidents that affect the health, safety and welfare of people supported by the service and previous inspection reports.
We also checked to see if any information concerning the care and welfare of people supported by the home had been received. We contacted the commissioning department who used Westholme and Healthwatch Lancashire. Healthwatch Lancashire is an independent consumer champion for health and social care. This helped us to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced whilst using the service.
As part of the 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.
We spoke about Westholme with the registered manager, four people, a relative and four staff. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the home and they could respond to any concerns highlighted or lead Westholme in ongoing improvements. We checked care records of one person and looked at staffing levels, recruitment procedures and training provision.
We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure the home was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.
After our inspection we received the service’s safety certification to confirm gas and electrical safety checks had been completed.
Updated
11 June 2019
About the service:
Westholme is registered to accommodate 26 older people who may live with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 20 people living at the home. Westholme is located near to the centre of St Annes, close to local services and amenities. The property is large, with accommodation spread over three floors. A lift provides access to the upper floors.
People’s experience of using this service:
The registered manager provided staff training and regularly checked their competency to ensure people’s medicines were managed safely. One person said, “Having the staff doing my medication keeps me safe.”
The registered manager had implemented the local authority’s safeguarding policy, which included contact details to report abuse. Staff demonstrated a good level of awareness about their related responsibilities. A staff member explained, “Our function is to keep the residents safe.”
The management team had implemented a new electronic system to enhance risk assessment and better evaluate treatment outcomes. The provider was extensively refurbishing and redecorating all areas of the home. People told us they felt valued, safe and comfortable.
The registered manager deployed good staffing levels and skill mixes to meet people’s needs. The provider had a wide-ranging training programme to enhance staff knowledge. A relative stated, “The staff are skilled and have a really good understanding of [my relative] and her background.”
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. A relative told us, “Whenever I visit I see people coming and going as they please, there are no restrictions.”
Staff checked each person’s diet to reduce the risk of malnutrition. People said they were offered variety and liked their meals. One person stated, “The food is lovely, I really enjoy my meals.”
Staff were respectful when they engaged with people and understood the value of touch and humour. One person said, “The staff are great. Considering they are much younger than me, they get me and talk to me on my level.”
The new electronic care planning system focused on monitoring people’s health to ensure support was responsive to their needs. A relative commented, “The staff attitude is one of real insight, respect, kindness and compassion. They are lovely and yet highly professional and experienced.”
People and their relatives confirmed there was strong leadership at Westholme. A relative said, “[The registered manager] has this lovely, calm aura about him. He is definitely a great leader.” The registered manager regularly audited the service to retain oversight of quality assurance.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection:
At the last inspection the service was rated good (published 31 January 2017).
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any issues or concerns are identified we may inspect sooner.