22 April 2014
During a routine inspection
This is a summary of what we found-
Is the service safe?
During our inspection we found there were some practices that promoted people's safety, however we also found some areas where this could be improved.
We saw risk assessments completed to identify any risks people faced through the activities of daily living, but we found a lack of clarity about which people required pressure reliving equipment and where some people did, there was no record in their care plan that this had been provided.
We found there were suitable arrangements in place to manage the safe storage, handling and administration of medicines. A person who preferred to spend their time in their bedroom told us, 'Staff come here to give me my tablets. They never forget me.'
There were sufficient care workers to respond to people's health and welfare needs. A person who used the service told us, 'The staff are very good, they know what they are doing. We have the right kind of staff.'
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff have been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.
Is the service effective?
We found staff were effective at respecting and involving people who used the service. A person who used the service told us, 'The routines of the home are in our interest.' Another person said, 'They always listen to what we say.'
We saw people received food that was appropriate for their needs and culture, and where needed people were given assistance to eat their meal. However we found nutritional monitoring charts were not used correctly, which increased the risk people faced of malnutrition.
Staff said there had been improvements in the staffing arrangements and they now had the number of staff they needed to meet people's needs. A person who used the service told us, 'I would say there are enough staff.'
Is the service caring?
We found staff were sympathetic and caring. We saw staff were attentive and respectful when speaking with or supporting people. One person who told us they were frightened when they moved to the home said, 'The staff have made me comfortable.' Another person said, 'Staff handle residents who can be difficult well. They show the upmost kindness.'
Is the service responsive?
People who used the service felt their needs were responded to. One person told us, 'I was really poorly when I came here, they have really sorted me out.' We found the service did not respond well to people's changing needs by reviewing and updating their care plans. Information that was passed onto staff coming on duty at handover was not written in the person's care plan.
Is the service well-led?
We asked a person if they thought the home was well led. They told us, 'It is well led, the managers are wonderful, so are the team leaders.'
There had been four new team leaders employed who were described by the head of care as working well together and, 'Encouraging to staff.' Staff said they felt things were better managed than previously. A person who used the service told us, 'The staff are very good, they know what they are doing. We have the right kind of staff.'
There were quality assurance systems in place to help identify any improvements that could be made. There were systems to gather the views of staff and people who used the service. A staff member said, 'I feel listened to now. I think the residents are listened to as well.'