Silver Howe

Updated 6 March 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 coronavirus 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 9 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 6 March 2021

About the service: Silver Howe is a residential care home that provides personal care and accommodation for up to 30 people. The home is situated close to the town centre of Kendal and at the time of this inspection there were 27 people living here. The accommodation also includes a designated seven bed unit for people living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service:

There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet people’s needs in a timely manner. People and their relatives told us there were always enough staff available to assist them. One person told us, “There always seems enough staff.” Staff had completed training that enabled them to deliver good care and support to people effectively.

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. Medications were stored and managed safely and people received their medicines as they had been prescribed.

People’s individual preferences for food and drink were catered for this also included people’s specific health and dietary requirements. Staff gave the right level of support to those who required extra help in eating and drinking. One person told us, “The food is lovely. I enjoyed the fish pie, cake and custard, they make it all you know.” We saw the dinning experience was pleasant, sociable and very personalised.

Care provided to people respected their privacy, dignity and promoted their independence. It was clear from our observations that staff knew people's needs well. Kind and friendly interactions were observed taking place. One person told us, “It’s a lovely safe place to live, the staff are lovely.” Another person told us, “I am always well looked after and feel cared about.”

There was an activities coordinator employed. There was a varied and individualised activity programme in place that ensured people lived a fulfilled life of their choosing.

A variety of audits were in place that demonstrated the service was monitored and safe for people to live in. Feedback about the service was regularly collected and 99% of people said they were very satisfied or satisfied with the service. A relative we spoke with told us the home had improved since our previous inspections.

More information is in the full report.

Rating at last inspection:

REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT (The date last report published was 19 March 2018)

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service has improved to Good.

Follow up:

Going forward we will continue to monitor this service and plan to inspect in line with our reinspection schedule for those services rated Good.