We considered all the evidence we had gathered under the outcomes we inspected during our inspection at Bluebirds Nursing Home. We used the information to answer the five questions we always ask.' Is the service safe?
' Is the service effective?
' Is the service caring?
' Is the service responsive to people's needs?
' Is the service well-led?
This is a summary of what we found:
Is the service safe?
The three people we spoke with told us they felt safe living at Bluebirds Nursing Home. We observed that plans of care included risk assessments to promote people's safety, such as assessments for malnutrition, the risk of falls and movement and handling. We also observed staff used safe moving and handling techniques.
Staff told us that they involved other health and social care professionals to support people with their needs and we saw documentation to confirm this. Where people displayed behaviour which may challenge others appropriate support, including one to one, was in place to keep people safe.
We found that there was enough skilled and experienced staff on duty to support people safely and to meet their needs appropriately.
The Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLs). At the time of our visit one person was the subject of a DoLs and other people had applications being considered. Therefore people's human rights were properly recognised, respected and promoted.
Is the service effective?
We saw that people, or a relative on their behalf, were involved in their care planning and that individual preferences had been documented. This meant people were involved in making decisions about their care and support. Staff we spoke with had a good understanding of people's needs and knew how they preferred to be supported.
Is the service caring?
People told us that staff treated them well. We observed that staff had a good understanding and knowledge of people's needs and preferences and supported them appropriately. Staff were respectful and promoted the dignity of the people who used the service. For example, a person received one to one support unobtrusively.
Staff spent time interacting with the people who used the service and supported them to maintain family contacts outside of the care home.
Two cats lived in the care home and a dog was a daily visitor. This stimulated the people who used the service and gave them something to care for if they wanted to.
Is the service responsive?
Staffing levels were good and allowed for people to be supported appropriately. At the time of our visit there were nine care staff and a qualified nurse rostered to care for 21 people. The staff team underwent regular updates of their training to ensure they had the collective resources to meet people's needs. This ensured that people were cared for, at all times, by staff that had the appropriate training.
Throughout our visit we saw that people received care and support in a timely fashion and were not kept waiting which meant people's needs were responded to appropriately.
Is the service well-led?
The service had an effective management structure. The registered manager was responsible for the operation of the home but on a day to day basis staff referred to the unit manager.
There was effective quality monitoring systems in place to ensure Bluebirds Nursing Home provided a safe and satisfactory service and people were kept safe.