Archived: Whitehaven Care Home

We saw that since our visit audits had been undertaken which resulted in identifying and making further improvements in the management of medicines in the home.

We saw that care planning was comprehensive identifying the needs of people living in the home. People told us that staff were responsive and "helpful and kind". We observed staff supporting an individual with their meal in a sensitive and supportive way. However there was a lack of staff availability during the lunchtime period.

There were the required arrangements and facilities in place to protect people from risks of infection. Staff had the necessary knowledge and skills in protecting people from the risks of infection and provided a clean hygienic environment.

We found that the storage and practice of giving medicines to people potentially put people's health and welfare at risk. There were satisfactory arrangements for the storage and use of controlled drugs. There were gaps in the home's policy and procedure around the management of medicines.

We found that following management and staff changes there had been a period of poor morale. However morale had improved and staff were positive about the approach and practice of the new manager. Staff received the necessary training but one to one meetings were an area for improvement.

The provider had responded professionally to complaints.

We saw that staff supported people with dignity and respect. Some people told us that they were sometimes "bored" and would like more to do.

We found that the information we read in the care plans was person centred and explained people likes and dislikes. We saw that where people had clinical care such as wounds or a urinary catheter the care plan did not contain sufficient detail.

People at the home told us that they felt safe. Staff had a good understanding of what to do if they saw bad practise or were concerned about the welfare of people at the home.

Hand washing facilities in parts of the home were not sufficient. This could increase the risk of the spread of infection.

Staff had received training appropriate to their role. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people at the home.

The provider has systems in place to seek the views of people who use the service.