Amelia House Residential Home

Updated 1 April 2023

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was conducted by one inspector and an Expert by Experience who made calls to relatives. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Amelia House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Amelia House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager who was also the provider. However, a manager oversaw the day to day running of the home. The aim was for them to register with CQC as the registered manager.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people living at the home. An Expert by Experience spoke with 4 relatives to gain their feedback on the service. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. And 3 relatives shared their views by e-mail.

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 may not be able comment directly on their care.

We gave staff an opportunity to respond to us by e-mail and spoke with staff during the inspection. We also spoke with the registered manager and the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people’s care records and people’s medication records. We looked at 1 staff file in relation to recruitment and looked at records relating to staff supervision and training. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service including handover information, audits and safety checks.

The inspection concluded on 31 January 2023 when verbal feedback was provided to the registered manager, the provider and the manager.

Updated 1 April 2023

About the service

Amelia House is a residential care home that provides personal care for up to 19 people aged 65 and over. There were 16 people living there at the time of the inspection; some of whom were living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were relaxed with one another and the staff group. They looked relaxed in their surroundings, chatting together in one of the lounges or spending time in their room. People told us they were pleased with their choice of home and they had no plans to move. Visitors were equally pleased how well their relative had settled in, for example one commented, “A very caring home, my mum is happy here.” People living, visiting and working at the home said they had or would recommend the home to others.

The registered manager, the day to day manager and the staff team worked with a shared purpose to keep people safe and to support their well-being. A relative told us, “I cannot praise the staff enough for her care, they are amazing and I would certainly recommend this home to others.”

Despite national staffing shortages, the management team had worked hard to ensure they recruited new staff. Recruitment checks helped ensure staff were suitable to support people.

People were complimentary about the staff group. For example, one person told us the staff were “marvellous” because they took good care of them, and then said, “Yes, I’m very happy that I will be staying here.” A relative wrote, “All the staff I’ve been in contact with are amazing.”

People looked well cared for; visitors said they were reassured by their relative's appearance and contentment. The service provided safe care to people. People looked at ease and comfortable in the company of staff. For example, they said the staff were “so good” and “marvellous.” People's views mattered; staff listened to them, respected their choices but also took time to explain their suggestions.

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 supported this practice.

Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people's care to ensure they received the care and treatment which was right for them.

Staff followed current hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections. People praised the cleanliness of the home. Health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out at regular intervals. People received their medicines in the way prescribed for them.

Before people moved to Amelia House an assessment was completed to identify the level of support they needed. This assessment included risks to their health and well-being. People’s care needs were regularly reviewed and updated.

A number of relatives commented on the positive friendly feeling when they visited. They praised the manager’s approachability and availability. For example, they said, “Yes, we know (the manager), she is very approachable we often have a chat when we visit and if we need to ring her to ask questions, she is always available to answer them.”

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 4 April 2018).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.