The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Vale Court Care Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

9b Chester Road, Whitby, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 9BD (0151) 356 4827

Provided and run by:
Huntercombe (No. 3) Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

16 and 22 July 2014

During a routine inspection

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 was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service. 

The inspection was unannounced.  The last inspection of Vale Court Care Home took place on the 16 July 2013 when it was found to be meeting all the regulatory requirements.  

A registered manager was in post.   A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Vale Court is a modern purpose-built two storey home situated in the Whitby area of Ellesmere Port close to the town centre.  The home provides care for older people and for younger adults with a physical disability over two floors and is registered to take up to 56 people.  On the first day of our visit there were 40 people living in the home.

The home manager was on holiday during our visit so the inspection was undertaken with the deputy manager and for part of the day with the regional operations manager responsible for the home.

This inspection took place over two days and during our visit we spent time in all areas of the home, including the lounge and the dining areas.  This enabled us to observe how people’s care and support was provided.  The relationships we saw were warm, respectful, dignified and with plenty of smiles and laughter.  Everyone in the service looked relaxed and comfortable with the staff.  People told us that staff members always treated them with dignity and respect.  Comments included; “Staff are good, could not get any better”, “Staff are wonderful”, “Staff are very good, I have a bit of banter” and “Very kind and respectful”.

Arrangements were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse and the people living in the home.  All the people we spoke to told us that they felt safe at Vale Court Care Home. Comments included;  “Staff are good, could not get any better”. 

The care files we looked at contained the relevant information regarding background history to ensure the staff had the information they needed to respect the person's preferred wishes, likes and dislikes.  Records were kept under review so information reflected the current and changing needs of people. Information was stored securely ensuring confidentiality was maintained.

Staff members we spoke with said that the registered manager was very approachable, as was the deputy manager. Throughout the inspection, we observed staff interacting with each other in a professional manner.  Comments from staff members included; “The home is running well”, “Runs well, there is a good team” and “The home is very caring and people are well looked after”. 

16 July 2013

During a routine inspection

We found that people's care and treatment was assessed, planned and delivered in order to meet their needs. Care and treatment plans were documented and reviewed and people were informed and involved in their care. People who used the service and their relatives told us they were well cared for, however they all told us there was a lack of daily activities. They told us:

'I have no concerns with the care given to my mum, staff are always good to me and give me information when I ring to ask about her',

'They do absolutely everything for her (mum) and I am very happy with the way she is being managed',

'My mum came here in a bad way but now she seems to be managing fine, I think we have had another year of life with her due to the quality of care here'.

We found that there were suitable systems in place to gain consent when caring for people and for those who lacked the capacity to give informed consent themselves.

We found there was sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and experienced staff working at the home.

We found the provider had effective systems in place for monitoring the quality of services. Regular audits were undertaken. There was a complaints process and monitoring of complaints and regular satisfaction surveys were undertaken.

Records were held securely and found to be accurate.

29 May 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke to some people who use the service and a relative when we visited. They told us that they were happy living at the home. People told us:

'I have settled in very well', 'They treat me well here', 'It's pretty good here'.

Three people we spoke with told us the food choice at lunchtime was not very good as it was only soup and sandwiches; however this was countered by two people saying the food was very nice and the soup that day was 'lovely'. Observation of the menu and lunch being served demonstrated there were at least two choices at lunchtimes and dinnertime. All the people we spoke to said that food was always hot and the chef would make every effort to prepare an alternative if someone did not want to order the food choice on offer that meal.

People who use the service all told us the staff were very good. They said:

'Staff were very nice', 'Kind and caring', 'They made me feel at home', 'Staff treat me like their mum'.

Those we discussed safeguarding with (three people) told us they felt safe, understood what abuse was and felt they were protected from abuse at this home.

29 November 2011

During a routine inspection

During our visit to the home we spoke with five people who live on the upstairs floor of the home and four people who live on the downstairs floor. They told us they are looked after well, are treated properly and with respect and are able to do the things they want to do. For example, two people told us they can stay up late if they wish. All gave examples of the things they did during the day including reading, watching television, socialising with other people living in the home, having visitors and taking part in activities organised by the activity coordinator such as dominoes, board games, cards and going to the pub.

The majority of the nine people we spoke said they are happy living in the home. A few said it was all right. They all said staff looked after them in a caring way. People on both floors said they did get the care and support they needed. However, all said there was not enough staff so sometimes they have to wait to get this care and support. Some people said they had had to wait for a long time. Most felt that the food provided by the home was boring and monotonous. Lunch was the meal that was the main cause of concern. Several people told us, 'it is always the same, soup or sandwiches'.

We spoke with one relative of a person living on the upstairs floor. They told us their relative is looked after well and staff are caring and respectful. They also said they are kept well informed and involved appropriately.