Background to this inspection
Updated
13 March 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by an inspector, an inspection manager and an Expert by Experience. Our expert by experience's area of expertise was the care of older people and people living with dementia.
Service and service type
Victoria House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care, this home provides accommodation for up to 30 people. There were 18 people receiving a service at the time of the inspection.
CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. 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
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did
Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service such as notifications. These are events which happened in the service that the provider is required to tell us about. We sought feedback from the local authority who monitor the care and support people receive. We used all this information to plan our inspection. Following the inspection we received feedback from a visiting health care professional.
During the inspection we spoke with nine people using the service and three relatives. We also spoke with a director of Victoria House, the registered manager, the activities coordinator and five care or domestic staff. We observed support being provided in the communal areas of the service. We reviewed a range of records about people's care and how the service was managed. This included four people's care records. We also looked at associated documents including risk assessments and a sample of medicine records. We looked at records of meetings, staff training records and the recruitment checks carried out for a member of staff. Quality assurance audits completed by the management team were also checked.
Updated
13 March 2019
About the service:
Victoria House is a residential care home that provides personal care for up to 30 people aged 65 and over. At the time of the inspection there were 18 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service:
People were positive about living at Victoria House and were complimentary about the staff who cared for them.
Care and support was tailored to each person's needs and preferences. People and their relatives were fully involved in developing and updating their planned care.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels were kept under review and were due to be increased.
Appropriate recruitment checks were carried out to ensure staff were suitable to work in the service
People were supported to take their medicines safely.
Risks were identified and managed safely. However, risk assessments in place would benefit from further development. Staff understood how to safeguard people from abuse.
Care plans were in place. Overall they included guidance from professionals and details of changes to people’s needs. There were some examples where care plans needed to be further updated to include current information.
Staff were trained and further training was planned to cover any gaps.
Improvements had been made to records relating to The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). However, further improvements were required. We have made a recommendation about this.
People were satisfied with the food available. Overall staff understood people’s nutritional needs, however we found an example where staff needed clearer information.
People were well cared for by staff who treated them with respect and dignity.
Systems were in place for people to raise complaints and concerns.
People were supported to take part in activities and to access the local community.
Staff liaised with other health care professionals to ensure people's safety and meet their health needs.
The registered manager demonstrated a commitment to providing person centred care for people. Staff felt the registered manager was supportive and approachable.
Audits had been developed to monitor the quality of the service.
We have made a recommendation about the need to analyse accidents and incidents to identify any themes or trends.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection:
At the last inspection the service was rated Requires Improvement (23 November.2018).
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The rating has improved to Good overall.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor any intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection schedule. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.