We carried out a review of the data available to us about Arlington House Residential Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Arlington House Residential Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice
The service followed safe visiting procedures to minimise the spread of infection. Plans were in place to create a specific area for family to visit during the winter period whilst maintaining social distancing rules. Staff reassured people throughout the pandemic and provided them with the support they needed to maintain regular contact with family and friends through the use of technology.
Staff followed shielding and social distancing rules and encouraged people to maintain social distancing where able to. To help maintain people’s health and wellbeing, ‘support bubbles’ had been created when using communal areas; this had helped reduce anxiety and increased positive relationships within the home. Where social distancing was not possible due to the level of care required, staff followed correct guidance in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Safe procedures were in place for admitting people into the service. Staff ensured people newly admitted were given additional support to maintain their health and wellbeing.
There was a good stock of the right standard of PPE and staff used and disposed of it correctly. The registered manager and provider shared Infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance, updates and good practice across the staff team. Current IPC and PPE procedures were clearly visible across the service.
We were assured this service were following safe infection prevention and control measures to keep people safe.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.
Arlington House is a care home providing personal care for up to 27 people in one adapted building over two floors. The service was supporting 26 people at the time of this inspection.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
We have made recommendations about the management of risk, monitoring and the oversight of the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act.
We have made a recommendation about the management of risk. Although staff were aware of risks to people, no assessment had been completed for the use of a particular piece of equipment. The registered manager was in the process of reviewing people’s care planning records to ensure that they contained up to date information.
We have made a recommendation about recording consent. Although people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service did not fully support this practice. The registered manager was in the process of reviewing people’s records in relation to their mental capacity to ensure they contained up to date information.
People felt safe using the service and were protected from abuse and the risk of abuse. Medicines were safely managed and people received them on time. Safe recruitment practices were followed. Infection control practices were followed to minimise the risk of the spread of infection and regular safety checks were carried out on the environment and equipment.
Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service that people received.
People's needs and choices were assessed prior to moving into the service. People received care and support from experienced staff who received the right training and supported for their role. People were supported to have a nutritious and balanced diet and their healthcare needs were met.
People, their family members and friends were happy with the service provided at Arlington House and positive relationships had been formed with the staff delivering care and support. People were able to voice their views and they felt they were listened to.
Staff knew people well and were knowledgeable about their individual needs and how they were to be met. People and their family members had access to information about how to make a complaint about the service.
Systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service that people received. People were engaged and involved with changes within the service. The provider sought information and guidance from other agencies and regulators to continually develop the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 25 April 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Arlington House Residential Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 21 people, including some people who lived with dementia. There were 21 people using the service at the time of the inspection.
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.
The service was well led as the providers strived to achieve an overall outstanding service for people who used the service. They constantly looked for ways to improve the service and used research and 'out of the box' thinking to implement new initiatives to support a continuous improvement in the quality of care.
People received care and support in a personalised way. Care was focused solely on people's needs, wishes, opinions and individual preferences. The provider was responsive to people's needs and did what they could to meet any personal requests people may have.
People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse as staff and the management knew what to do if they suspected someone had experienced potential abuse.
There were sufficient suitably trained staff to safely meet the needs of people who used the service. Staff were supported to fulfil their roles through effective supervision and appraisal. New staff had been recruited through safe robust recruitment procedures to ensure that they were of good character and fit to work with people.
Risks to people were assessed and action was taken to minimise the risks of harm. The providers worked with other agencies to reduce risk and keep people safe.
People's medicines were stored and administered safely. People received regular health care checks. When people became unwell or their health needs changed the appropriate health care support was sought.
The principles of the MCA 2005 and DoLS were being followed which meant that people were consenting to or when they lacked mental capacity were being supported to consent to their care and treatment.
People had a choice of food and drink and were actively encouraged to feedback on the quality of food. People were encouraged to eat and drink sufficient amounts of food and drink to remain healthy.
People were treated with dignity and respect and their right to privacy was upheld. People were involved in planning how their care was delivered. People were able to maintain friendships and relationships at home and in the community.
The provider had a complaints procedure and people felt assured that if they had any concerns that they would be acted upon.