Archived: Kirkby House Residential Care Home

Updated 19 November 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service had been identified as having a number of people tested positive for COVID-19. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

This inspection took place on 30 October 2020 and was unannounced.

Updated 19 November 2020

Kirkby House Residential Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 44 older people and people living with dementia. The home is located in a residential area close to Kirkby town centre, Knowsley. Accommodation is in single rooms with the majority having en-suite facilities.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. On this inspection, we found the service had remained good. We found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At the time of the inspection 38 people lived at the home.

The inspection visit took place on 06 December 2018 and was unannounced.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

People told us they felt safe and looked after by staff. We observed interactions between staff and people who lived at the home. These were positive, friendly and supportive. Written comments to the home included, ‘I can see why this home is so highly recommended the atmosphere and staff are so wonderful, really friendly I wouldn’t want my [family member] to be cared for by anyone else. And ‘The staff are marvellous, I couldn’t ask for better.’ And, ‘If I won the lottery I would not move my family member from Kirkby House.’

There were procedures in place to protect people from abuse and unsafe care. We saw risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people. These had been kept under review and were personalised to meet people’s needs.

People were extremely positive about the care they received and the quality of staff. Throughout the inspection we saw staff were available to assist people in communal areas and patient and kind to people they supported. Staff assisted people promptly when people needed their help and were friendly talking and laughing with people. We saw and people told us staff provided care in a way that respected peoples’ dignity, privacy and independence. These included, ‘If you paid thousands you could not get better care than here.’ And ‘The staff are fabulous, they bend over backwards, nothing is too much trouble.’ A relative said, “The staff are attentive to resident’s needs, very kind, caring and professional.”

Procedures were in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.

There were sufficient staffing levels in place to support people safely. Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.

Medicines were managed safely. People received their medicines when needed and appropriate records had been completed. We saw people had access to healthcare professionals. People told us staff cared for them in the way they wanted and met their care needs promptly. They referred them to healthcare professionals in a timely way.

People had been 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. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported. These were informative and personalised and regularly reviewed.

There were safe infection control procedures and practices and staff had received infection control training. Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when providing personal care to people so they did not risk causing cross infection.

People told us they enjoyed the food provided and had choice and variety. We observed the lunchtime meal. People received sufficient food and drink and the assistance they needed. The kitchen was clean, organised and staff were trained in food safety.

We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live. The design of the building and facilities in the home were appropriate for the care and support provided. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.

People told us they enjoyed a variety of social and leisure activities and staff were welcoming to their families and friends. We saw staff were responsive to people’s needs and wellbeing and spent time supporting and engaging people in social activities.

People knew who to complain to if they were not satisfied with their care and felt appropriate action would be taken. People also had information about support from an external advocate should this be required.

The registered manager sought people's views in a variety of ways. They assessed and monitored the quality of the service through audits, resident and staff meetings. People told us the management team were approachable and willing to listen.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.