Archived: Dobson House

Updated 17 May 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection team consisted of one inspector and one expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The expert by experience's area of expertise was older people and dementia care.

Service and service type:

Dobson House is a domiciliary care service. It provides personal care to older people living in their own flats within a supported housing complex.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

We gave the service three days’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure someone would be present.

What we did:

We reviewed information we had received since the service was registered. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as safeguarding people.

During the inspection, we spoke with 17 people who used the service and four of their relatives to ask about their experience of the care provided. We observed staff providing support to people in the communal areas of the service. This was so we could understand people's experiences. By observing the care received, we could determine whether they were comfortable with the support they were provided with.

We also spoke with three members of care staff, registered manager, regional business manager and two visiting health care professionals.

We reviewed a range of records about people's care and how the service was managed. This included three people's care records and a sample of people's medicines administration records. We reviewed records of meetings, staff rotas, three staff files and staff training records. We also reviewed complaints and quality assurance information.

Updated 17 May 2019

About the service: The service provides care to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is rented and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care service. At the time of our inspection, 20 people were receiving a regulated activity.

People’s experience of using this service:

People felt safe using the service and were satisfied with the support they received from staff. Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People's independence was promoted and, where possible, they were encouraged to do as much as they could for themselves.

People received their prescribed medicines by trained staff, however some improvements were required to ensure the safe management of medicines. We have made a recommendation about the safe management of medicines.

Care plans and risk management plans were in place and were reviewed regularly.

Recruitment procedures were safe. Staff had been recruited following relevant checks being completed.

Staff received the required training to develop their skills and knowledge. Staff were well supported and worked effectively as a team.

People were supported to maintain good health and access health care professionals. Where appropriate, referrals to health care professionals were made and recommendations were followed by staff. Where required, people were supported with their nutritional needs.

People were consulted over their care and support needs and were actively encouraged to make decisions for themselves.

People had access to a range of social activities to take part in if they wished.

People, their relatives and professionals spoke positively about the staff team at Dobson House.

Systems were in place to check the safety and monitor the quality of the service.

Rating at last inspection: This is the first inspection of the service since registration with CQC.

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection of the service.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

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