This inspection was unannounced and took place on 16 March 2015.
Rowden House is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 39 people. The home specialises in the care of older people.
There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.
During the inspection there was a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere; staff and people living in the home were happy and at ease when they spoke with us. We observed friendly but professional banter with staff discussing local news and topics of interest. One person said, “It’s quite a cheerful place, they always have a smile and there is never a cross word.” A visitor said, “I am always welcomed, it’s more like visiting a family than a care home.”
Prior to this inspection we received concerns that care was not being carried out properly due to a shortage of staff. The registered manager confirmed they had been short of staff but all staff had worked well as a team ensuring people received the care they required. One staff member said, “Yes we have had a time when we were short of staff but we worked together and covered the shifts. We are better now, some people have left and we have new staff. It has really improved.” Records showed there were adequate staffing levels on each shift. The manager confirmed staffing levels could be flexible to meet the care needs of people and to support other staff with activities such as parties and trips out.
The manager’s vision for the home was to ensure all people received person centred care, recognising people’s freedom of choice and control over their life. Staff all demonstrated their awareness of the manager’s vision and could tell us how they helped people to maintain choice and provide support in a dignified and respectful manner. One staff, member said, “We are always mindful that it is their home, that care is specific to them and that they make the choices for the day not us.”
All care staff had received training in identifying and reporting abuse. All staff spoken with were able to explain to us the signs of abuse and how they would report any concerns they had. They all stated they were confident any concerns brought to the manager would be dealt with appropriately. People told us they felt safe in the home and they all knew who to talk to if they wanted to raise a concern or complaint.
People said they felt safe living at the home and with the staff who supported them. One person said, “Everybody is very kind, I don’t think I have seen anybody grumpy when they are with us.” A visitor said, “I am confident my friend is safe and well looked after.” There was a robust recruitment procedure in place which minimised the risks of abuse to people.
People’s health care needs were fully assessed and care and support was provided on an individual basis. One staff member told us, “We have very clear care plans but we also know everybody individually, there is very good communication so we know immediately if there is any changes.” This meant people’s individual changing needs were considered and catered for in consultation with them or a family member if necessary. Care plans and care practices were monitored to ensure people’s preferences were being followed and improvements were made when needed.
People saw healthcare professionals such as the GP, district nurse, chiropodist and dentist. Staff supported people to attend appointments with specialist healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics. Staff made sure when there were changes to people’s physical well- being, such as changes in weight or mobility, effective measures were put in place to address any issues. One visiting healthcare professional said they found the staff to be proactive, going to the community team for advice if they needed extra input to people’s care.
Everybody spoken with told us they enjoyed the food, they all said the food was good. People were offered choices and the food was nutritious and well presented. People who needed assistance with eating were supported in a dignified and unhurried manner. Some people chose to eat in their room.
People told us there had been plenty of options for organised activities; however the activities organiser was now a care worker. The manager confirmed they were recruiting a new activities organiser. We saw people had been involved with the Frome College Arts Project. People shared their life histories with students. They planned to create a memory quilt for the Frome Festival. A local school also visited people for their community and history projects. People had been involved in a living eggs programme when they had incubated eggs and hatched chicks. People were supported to maintain links with the local community; the manager had links with local groups and schools.
There were systems in place to monitor the care provided and people’s experiences. An external audit was carried out by the manager of another home in the organisation as well as the regular audits carried out by the registered manager. Action plans were the put in place to address any issues found. A regular survey was carried out asking people and their relatives about the service provided by the home. Suggestions for change were listened to and actions taken to improve the service provided. All incidents and accidents were monitored, trends identified and learning shared with staff to put into practice.
This inspection was unannounced and took place on 16 March 2015.
Rowden House is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 39 people. The home specialises in the care of older people.
There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.
During the inspection there was a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere; staff and people living in the home were happy and at ease when they spoke with us. We observed friendly but professional banter with staff discussing local news and topics of interest. One person said, “It’s quite a cheerful place, they always have a smile and there is never a cross word.” A visitor said, “I am always welcomed, it’s more like visiting a family than a care home.”
Prior to this inspection we received concerns that care was not being carried out properly due to a shortage of staff. The registered manager confirmed they had been short of staff but all staff had worked well as a team ensuring people received the care they required. One staff member said, “Yes we have had a time when we were short of staff but we worked together and covered the shifts. We are better now, some people have left and we have new staff. It has really improved.” Records showed there were adequate staffing levels on each shift. The manager confirmed staffing levels could be flexible to meet the care needs of people and to support other staff with activities such as parties and trips out.
The manager’s vision for the home was to ensure all people received person centred care, recognising people’s freedom of choice and control over their life. Staff all demonstrated their awareness of the manager’s vision and could tell us how they helped people to maintain choice and provide support in a dignified and respectful manner. One staff, member said, “We are always mindful that it is their home, that care is specific to them and that they make the choices for the day not us.”
All care staff had received training in identifying and reporting abuse. All staff spoken with were able to explain to us the signs of abuse and how they would report any concerns they had. They all stated they were confident any concerns brought to the manager would be dealt with appropriately. People told us they felt safe in the home and they all knew who to talk to if they wanted to raise a concern or complaint.
People said they felt safe living at the home and with the staff who supported them. One person said, “Everybody is very kind, I don’t think I have seen anybody grumpy when they are with us.” A visitor said, “I am confident my friend is safe and well looked after.” There was a robust recruitment procedure in place which minimised the risks of abuse to people.
People’s health care needs were fully assessed and care and support was provided on an individual basis. One staff member told us, “We have very clear care plans but we also know everybody individually, there is very good communication so we know immediately if there is any changes.” This meant people’s individual changing needs were considered and catered for in consultation with them or a family member if necessary. Care plans and care practices were monitored to ensure people’s preferences were being followed and improvements were made when needed.
People saw healthcare professionals such as the GP, district nurse, chiropodist and dentist. Staff supported people to attend appointments with specialist healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics. Staff made sure when there were changes to people’s physical well- being, such as changes in weight or mobility, effective measures were put in place to address any issues. One visiting healthcare professional said they found the staff to be proactive, going to the community team for advice if they needed extra input to people’s care.
Everybody spoken with told us they enjoyed the food, they all said the food was good. People were offered choices and the food was nutritious and well presented. People who needed assistance with eating were supported in a dignified and unhurried manner. Some people chose to eat in their room.
People told us there had been plenty of options for organised activities; however the activities organiser was now a care worker. The manager confirmed they were recruiting a new activities organiser. We saw people had been involved with the Frome College Arts Project. People shared their life histories with students. They planned to create a memory quilt for the Frome Festival. A local school also visited people for their community and history projects. People had been involved in a living eggs programme when they had incubated eggs and hatched chicks. People were supported to maintain links with the local community; the manager had links with local groups and schools.
There were systems in place to monitor the care provided and people’s experiences. An external audit was carried out by the manager of another home in the organisation as well as the regular audits carried out by the registered manager. Action plans were the put in place to address any issues found. A regular survey was carried out asking people and their relatives about the service provided by the home. Suggestions for change were listened to and actions taken to improve the service provided. All incidents and accidents were monitored, trends identified and learning shared with staff to put into practice.