Archived: Sunnyhill Residential Care Home

Updated 22 December 2016

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.

We visited Sunnyhill Residential Home on 8 November 2016. The inspection was carried out by one inspector and was unannounced.

Before visiting the home we reviewed all information we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notification of incidents. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern.

During the day of the inspection we spoke with three people who used the service. We spoke with two relatives and one visiting professional. We spoke with the registered manager, the area manager, and three members of staff. We also observed care practice in the lounge / dining room for a period of one hour. We inspected the premises and observed care practices during our visit. We looked at four records which related to people’s individual care. We also looked at seven staff files and other records in relation to the running of the service.

Updated 22 December 2016

Sunnyhill Residential Home is a care home which provides accommodation for up to 21 older people who require personal care. At the time of the inspection 16 people were using the service. Some of the people who lived at the service needed care and support due to dementia, sensory and /or physical disabilities.

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. 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.

We inspected Sunnyhill Residential Home on 8 November 2016. The inspection was unannounced. The service was last inspected in May 2014 when it was found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations.

People told us they felt safe at the service and with the staff who supported them. People told us, “It is very good here. The staff are good,” and a relative told us, “It is ideal (for my relative) because it is small. The staff are lovely.”

People told us they received their medicines on time. Medicines were well organised, records kept to a good standard, and staff had received suitable training to administer medicines.

Staff told us they had confidence that management would take any allegations of abuse seriously, and subsequently take suitable action. Staff had been trained to recognise potential signs of abuse.

Staff had received training to provide care and support to people. Training included moving and handling, first aid and dementia. Most staff had obtained a National Vocational Qualification, or diploma in care, and new staff were supported to obtain this qualification. Staff said they felt supported by management to carry out their jobs, and felt they could raise any concerns or suggestions.

Personnel files contained information, such as written references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, to ensure staff were deemed as suitable people to work with older people. Suitable recruitment processes, such as the completion of an application form, and a formal interviewing process were in place.

The service had appropriate links with medical services such as general practitioners, dentists, chiropodists and opticians. The registered manager of the service said these services were supportive, and people said they received enough support from these professionals. However some people’s records outlining when they had seen a dentist and /or an optician could be improved.

People told us there were enough staff on duty, and people said they received timely support from staff when it was needed. Call bells were answered promptly and we observed staff being attentive to people’s needs.

There were activities available for people. Some external entertainers such as musicians and singers visited. An activities co-ordinator was employed to work three days a week.

Care records provided suitable information such as a care plan, daily records and risk assessments. Care plans were regularly reviewed. The service had appropriate systems in place to assess people’s capacity in line with legislation and guidance, for example using the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

People told us they were very happy with their meals and always had enough to eat and drink. Comments received about the meals included “They are lovely,” and “Very good.” People said they had a choice and received enough support when they needed help with eating or drinking.

People remarked if they had any concerns or complaints they would feel confident discussing these with staff members or management, or they would ask their relative to resolve the problem. They were sure the correct action would be taken if they made a complaint.

People felt the service was well managed. There were suitable systems in place to monitor the quality of the service.