St Patricks Care Home

St Patricks Care Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 40 people. The service provides support to older people and people who are living with Dementia in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection there were 38 people using the service.

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

Infection prevention and control procedures were not effectively managed. Unclean areas of the home were observed across both days of the inspection and we found PPE was not stored in a way that prevented cross contamination.

Not all risks were assessed and monitored which placed people at potential risk of harm. Risk assessments were not always completed in a timely manner and records did not always show that risk was effectively monitored. Medication administration records did not always evidence that people received their medicines as prescribed.

Governance processes were not always effective at improving the quality and safety of the service. Auditing tools were in place. However, they did not identify all concerns found during the inspection in relation to risk assessments and care plans. When concerns were identified, there was not always a clear timescale of when these would be actioned.

There was a system in place to record and analyse incidents. However, we found that not all individual incidents were effectively analysed. We have made a recommendation about the analysis of incidents.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. However, we identified that mental capacity assessments were not always completed in a timely manner. We have made a recommendation about the completion of mental capacity assessments.

Staff were safely recruited following the completion of appropriate pre-employment checks. There were enough staff to support people safely. The registered manager had ensured safe staffing levels by using agency staff when needed.

A safeguarding policy was in place and concerns were shared with the local authority when required. People told us they felt safe in the care of staff and relatives were also assured that their loved ones were safe living at the home.

People and relatives told us that staff were experienced and knowledgeable about their roles. When people’s needs changed, the provider was extremely responsive and appropriate referrals to other agencies were made in a timely manner. People achieved positive health outcomes because the engagement with health professionals was effective.

People were positive about the food. Independence with food and drink was promoted through the use of adapted cutlery and plates.

People made everyday choices in relation to their care and treatment. People provided positive feedback in relation to staff respecting their views. A person told us, “Staff listen to what we say.” People were treated with dignity and respect. Our observations found that staff were caring in their approach.

An effective system was in place to ensure complaints were managed in an open and transparent way.

Staff told us that managers were approachable and there was a positive staff culture.

Relatives told us they were happy with the care their family members received and they were kept up to date about important changes in people's physical health.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 18 November 2019 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 17 April 2018.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

The registered manager and provider have been responsive to the feedback provided during the inspection and has implemented changes to improve the quality and safety of the service.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and governance at this inspection.

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

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.