St Catherine Rest Home

Updated 9 April 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 29 January and was announced.

Updated 9 April 2021

The service was last inspected in February 2017 where breaches 12, 15 and 18 of Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations were identified. This was because medicines were not being stored safely, risk assessments were not robust, the premises were not safe due to an unlocked garden gate and a large amount of rubble in the garden, as well as unsafe storage of cleaning products and items. In addition the provider was failing to notify us of certain incidents or events which had occurred during, or as a result of, the provision of care and support to people. This inspection took place on 27 March 2018 and was unannounced. At this inspection, we found the provider had taken steps to make improvements and had addressed all of the breaches identified at our previous inspection.

St Catherine Rest Home is a care home that provides residential care for older people and people living with dementia. It is registered for 19 people and at the time of this inspection there were 18 people using the service.

There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People who used the service and their relatives told us the service was safe. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and what to do if they had any concerns and how to report them. Safeguarding training was given to all staff and updated annually.

Risk assessments were thorough and personalised to individual needs and risks. Accidents and incidents were recorded. Staff knew what to do in an emergency situation.

Staffing levels were meeting the needs of the people who used the service and staff demonstrated that they had the relevant knowledge to support people with their care needs.

Recruitment practices were safe and records confirmed this.

Medicines were managed and administered safely and audited on a regular basis. Support workers were provided with medicines training prior to being permitted to administer medicines.

Newly recruited staff received an induction and shadowed more experienced members of staff before they started working on their own. Training for support workers was provided on a regular basis and updated when relevant. Support workers told us the quality of training was good.

Support workers demonstrated an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how they obtained consent on a daily basis. Consent was recorded in people's care plans.

People were supported with maintaining a balanced diet and the people who used the service planned the menu with the chef on a weekly basis and expressed their preferences accordingly.

People were supported to have access to healthcare services and received on-going support. Referrals to healthcare professionals were made where relevant.

Positive relationships were formed between support workers and the people who used the service and support workers demonstrated how well they knew the people they cared for. People who used the service and their relatives told us that support workers were caring and that dignified care was provided.

Care plans were detailed and contained relevant information about people who used the service and their needs such as their preferences and life history. Care plans were reviewed monthly, with any changes being recorded.

Concerns and complaints were listened to and records confirmed this. People who used the service and their relatives told us they knew how to make a complaint.

Quality assurance practices were in place and consisted surveys and audits. The registered manager and deputy manager were engaged with other organisations and had received certificates of recognition for their contributions.