Archived: Woodlands Westhoughton Dementia Care Home and Services

At our last inspection on 26 January 2016 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.

The registered manager and the provider were approachable towards people and staff members. People told were encouraged to be involved in decisions and improvements about Woodlands and their suggestions were valued by the provider.

People remained safe from the risks of abuse and ill-treatment. This is because staff members knew how to recognise and respond to concerns.

People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs and people received their medicines safely. Staff members had the training and skills to meet people’s needs.

The provider followed safe recruitment procedures when employing new members of staff.

People had care and support plans that reflected the areas of their lives which they needed assistance and support with. When changes occurred in people’s needs these care and support plans were reviewed to reflect the changes.

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. Staff were aware of current guidance which directed their practice and people’s human rights were protected by the staff who supported them.

People received support that continued to be caring. Staff members respected people’s privacy, dignity and promoted independence.

The provider had systems in place for receiving and responding to concerns and complaints.

Staff members felt valued as employees and their opinions and ideas were encouraged by the provider.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and where necessary made changes to drive improvements.

Woodlands, Westhoughton is a 55 bedded home for people living with dementia. It is situated in Westhoughton, close to local amenities. At the time of the inspection the home, which opened approximately six months ago, had 20 people living there. Plans were in place to fill the beds in a measured and managed way.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

There were sufficient staff to meet the needs of the people who used the service. There was a robust recruitment procedure which helped ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

Safeguarding and whistle blowing policies and procedures were in place and concerns were followed up appropriately. Staff were aware of the how to report any concerns.

Health and safety checks were in place and equipment was maintained and monitored.

Medication was administered safely, in accordance with the policy and by suitably trained staff.

Care plans included a range of health and personal information, including a hospital transfer form.

The staff induction programme was robust and included mandatory training, shadowing and reading policies and procedures. Staff training was on-going and supervisions were undertaken regularly.

The environment was dementia friendly, with appropriate signage and space. Meals were nutritious and the mealtime was relaxed and unhurried.

The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People told us they felt the home was good and they had no concerns. We saw staff interactions were positive, kind and patient. People’s privacy and dignity were respected.

Information about the service was produced and they agreed to consider producing this in different formats to ensure it was accessible to all.

The service had plans to facilitate people to stay at the home when nearing the end of their lives if they wished to. This would be done with the assistance and support of the district nursing service.

The care plans were person-centred and included information about people’s likes and dislikes and personal preferences. People had personalised their rooms with their own belongings.

There were a number of activities on offer at the service, including jigsaws, quizzes, word search, walks and gentle exercise.

There was an appropriate complaints policy and we saw that complaints were followed up in a timely and appropriate manner.

Relatives of people who used the service and staff told us the management were approachable and supportive.

The service had forged links with the local community and intended to try to link in with other local amenities.

Staff supervisions and meetings were held regularly.

Audits and checks were regularly undertaken and issues identified were followed up appropriately.