We carried out a review of the data available to us about Riverside Care Centre on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Riverside Care Centre, you can give feedback on this service.
About the service
Riverside Care Centre is a residential care home providing personal care to 24 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 24 people with a learning disability and/or autism. The home was divided into three separate houses with eight people living in each home. There was also a separate office block on the grounds.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service had been operating for several years but had recently changed provider. Whilst Riverside Care Centre was a larger residential care home, the provider was taking into consideration the principles and values of Right support, right care, right culture.’
Right Support
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.
People were assessed so any potential risks were identified, and steps taken to keep them safe. Systems in place safeguarded people from abuse and staff were knowledgeable about how to support people safely. People were protected from harm, for example through infection control measures and safe management of medicines.
Right Care
Observations and records showed that people experienced choice and control over their support and care planning was person centred. The service promoted people’s independence and people were engaged in activities that were meaningful to them.
People’s health needs were well managed and the service worked in partnership with other agencies to promote people’s health and wellbeing.
Right culture
Systems and processes in place promoted a positive culture at the home. Practices at the service were audited to monitor quality of the care people received and areas of improvement were identified.
People had established routines and good relationships with longstanding staff members. People were treated with dignity and respect and were involved in shaping their care. The management team worked closely with staff and had a clear vision for the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 25 October 2019.
Why we inspected
This was the first inspection for Riverside Care Centre since it began operation under a new provider. The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the management of people’s health needs, personal finances and activities. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We also undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ Visitors had to follow rules to prevent infection entering the home. These included having a COVID-19 test and the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Relatives could make an appointment to visit their family member.
¿ Single occupancy bedrooms, en-suite facilities and good ventilation reduced infection risk. Staff were reviewing the layout of furniture to try and maximise social distancing within communal living areas.
¿ To prevent infection outbreaks strict processes were followed when people were admitted to the home. Prior to admission a negative COVID-19 test result would be required followed by a period of self-isolation .
¿ A room was used specifically for staff to take COVID-19 tests. The room was equipped with test kits, PPE and a bin for discarding clinical waste safely.
¿ Staff were required to take a COVID-19 test three times a week and people were tested at a minimum of every 28 days. Where people or staff tested positive, they were required to self-isolate in line with current guidance.
¿ PPE was available throughout the home. Wall racking had been secured to ensure PPE was accessible and stored safely.
¿ A dedicated house keeper oversaw the heavy duty cleaning of the premises. Cleaning was ongoing throughout the day paying particular attention to high touch areas such as door handles, light switches and handrails.
¿ Staff received training which included, specific COVID-19 awareness, COVID-19 testing and donning and doffing of PPE.
¿ Government COVID-19 guidance, support from local Public Health, the local authority and the provider’s Infection Prevention Control policy helped to minimise the risk of infection outbreaks.