This unannounced inspection took place on the 16 and 21 July 2015. At the end of the first day of the inspection we told the provider when we would be returning to complete the inspection.
Woodland Hall provides accommodation and personal and nursing care for up to 72 people. Most people living in the home have dementia or mental health needs. At the time of this inspection five beds were being used by a local National Health Service [NHS] team for people needing a rehabilitation service. These beds were managed by Woodland Hall. The home is purpose built and located in north west London.
At our last inspection in 02 December 2013 the service was meeting the regulations we looked at.
At the time of this inspection a registered manager was employed at the service. 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.
The atmosphere of the home was relaxed and welcoming. Throughout our visit we observed caring and supportive relationships between staff and people using the service. People were complimentary about the caring nature of staff. Staff understood people’s varied and sometimes complex needs and interacted with people in a courteous manner. People’s privacy and dignity was respected.
Arrangements were in place to keep people safe. Staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported, were familiar with people’s needs and their key risks. People’s care plans and risk assessments included the information staff needed to provide people with the care and support they needed.
Incidents and accidents were recorded, appropriately addressed and monitored to minimise the risk of recurrence.
Medicines were stored and administered to people safely. People were supported to maintain good health, which was monitored closely and referrals made to health professionals when required. People were satisfied with the food provided and had a choice of food and drink which met their dietary needs.
Staff received a range of relevant training and were supported to develop their skills and gain qualifications to be competent in meeting the needs of people they cared for. Staff told us they enjoyed working in the home and received the support they needed to carry out their roles and responsibilities. People were protected, as far as possible by a robust staff recruitment system.
Staff had an understanding of the procedures in place to protect people if due to their needs they were unable to consent and/or make one or more decisions about their care, treatment and other aspects of their lives. Staff knew about the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People had the opportunity to participate in a range of activities of their choice, and were provided with the support they needed to maintain links with their family and friends. Views about the service was regularly sought from people, relatives and staff, and improvements made in response to this feedback.
There was an appropriate complaints procedure and people knew how to make a complaint. People were confident concerns and complaints raised by them would be appropriately addressed by the registered manager.
There was a clear management structure in the home. People told us the home was well managed and there were appropriate communication systems in place, including regular staff and resident/relatives meetings and other opportunities for people to obtain advice, support and to be involved in their and/or their relatives’ care.
There were effective systems in place to monitor the care and welfare of people and improve the quality of the service.