Gloucester House

Updated 19 June 2021

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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Gloucester House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they registered with CQC. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

The provider did not complete the required Provider Information Return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account in making our judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, the home manager and support workers. We reviewed a range of records, including two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff development and reviewed records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 19 June 2021

About the service

Gloucester House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to five younger adults who have mental health needs. At the time of our inspection four people lived at the home. Accommodation is provided in an adapted residential property. Bedrooms are of single occupancy with en-suite facilities, with various communal spaces for people's comfort.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People, relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager. However, limited management service oversight meant shortfalls we identified had not been highlighted. Systems and processes to monitor the quality and safety of the service and drive improvement were not always effective. People and relatives were encouraged to share their views of the service. Recent feedback reported high levels of service satisfaction. The registered manager was committed to addressing shortfalls identified during the inspection visit and driving forward improvements.

People felt safe living at Gloucester House and staff understood their responsibilities to keep people safe. Risks associated with people’s care and support were well managed. However, some environmental and infection prevention and control risks were not managed safely in line with the providers policy and procedures and current national guidance. Staff had been recruited safely and people received their medicine as prescribed from trained staff. However, the recording of medicine administrations required further improvement.

People had access to health and social care professionals as needed. Staff received the training and support they needed to fulfil their roles. 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 encouraged people to maintain a balanced diet and respected their individual choices. The management and staff team worked closely with external health and social care professionals to ensure people's physical and mental health was promoted and maintained.

People’s rights to privacy, dignity and respect were upheld and their independence was promoted. Developing people’s life skills was central to their care and support. Staff cared about people and had built positive relationships with them. People were supported to maintain important relationships. Staff felt supported and valued.

People received care and support which was responsive to their individual needs. Staff were matched with people with shared interests and positive relationships had been developed. People and relatives had confidence their complaints would be listened to and were actively involved in making decisions about their care and support.

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

This service was registered with us on 03 June 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

Enforcement

We have identified a breach in relation to the governance of the service.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.