Golden Sands

Updated 4 January 2019

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.

The inspection was completed on 22 and 23 November 2018. The first day was unannounced and completed by one adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is someone who has had direct experience or their relative had used registered services such as care homes.

Prior to our inspection, we looked at all the information available to us. These included notifications sent by the service, any safeguarding alerts and information sent to us from other sources such as healthcare professionals. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law. We also reviewed the service's Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that is completed at least annually. It asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. During the inspection we spoke with seven people. However, some other people were not able to comment specifically about their care experiences, so we used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people living with dementia. We also spoke with two relatives. We spoke in depth to the manager, activities coordinator, five care staff, one housekeeping staff, maintenance person and two kitchen staff. We received feedback from two healthcare professionals.

We looked at three care files including risk assessments, care plans and daily records. We reviewed three medicines records, three recruitment records and a variety of records relating to the auditing of the environment and quality of care.

Updated 4 January 2019

Golden Sands care is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. It can accommodate up to 17 older people. At the time of the inspection, there were 16 people living at the service.

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection 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. We found responsive had improved to outstanding. This was because the service had gone the extra mile to ensure people’s individual wishes and activities which were important to them, were met. This included trying new things and finding innovative ways of keeping people stimulated. It also included having additional staff available to ensure people got out and about into the local community. Staff went the extra mile to ensure people’s hobbies, interests and enjoyment were met to a high standard.

This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

.

Why the service is rated Good

People received safe and effective care form staff who understood their needs and wishes.

Staff had good training and support to do their job effectively. There were always sufficient staff for the number and needs of people living at the service.

Robust recruitments processes ensured only staff who were suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed. Staff understood how to protect people from abuse and when and who they should report any concerns to.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

People received their medicines on time and safely. We have made one recommendation to help improve practice in recording of medicines.

People said they were happy and staff were caring, kind and compassionate towards their needs. One person said, “As soon as you walk in the door everything is done for you, nothing is too much trouble.” Another said “The (staff) are all lovely, I cannot fault them. Nothing is too much trouble.” One healthcare professional commented “The staff always seem to show a great deal of caring towards their residents. It’s a real home from home here.”

The service was clean and adapted to suit people’s needs. Audits and checks ensured quality monitoring of the records, environment and care and support being delivered.

Care and support was well planned and person centred. Staff knew people well, including what was important to them to ensure their comfort and safety.

The management approach was open and inclusive. There were and a range of ways used to gain the views of people, relatives and staff.

Further information is in the detailed findings below