Read House

Updated 23 December 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of 1 inspector and 1 Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Read House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Read House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. However, there was a new manager recently employed, who had made an application to the CQC to become registered. We will assess this application in line with our usual registration processes.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 9 people and 4 relatives. We reviewed 4 people’s care plans, 2 staff recruitment files and multiple documents relating to the oversight and governance of the service such as policies, procedures, and audits. We observed care and support provided in shared areas of the service. We received feedback from 1 healthcare professional who works with the service. We spoke with 12 members of staff, including care workers, senior care workers, the chef, the maintenance person, the activities coordinator, the deputy manager, the manager, the regional manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 23 December 2023

About the service

Read House is a residential care home providing accommodation with personal care to up to 40 people. The service provides support to people with a physical disability, sensory impairment and those living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 35 people using the service.

People’s experience of the service and what we found

Checks were carried out as part of staff recruitment, but some improvements were required. We have made a recommendation about recruitment practice. The provider learned lessons and took effective action when things went wrong. Medicines were given safely and as prescribed. People were safeguarded and protected from the risk of avoidable harm. Staff demonstrated good infection prevention and control practice. There were sufficient staff to provide responsive and unhurried care.

People received an assessment when they joined the service, to support the development of a care plan. We received positive feedback from people who felt welcomed and secure when moving into Read House. The service worked well with other professionals to support people to live healthy lives. Staff received training, supervisions, and appraisals to support their continued professional development. There was a pleasant dining experience with choice promoted. The provider had invested significantly in a whole home renovation, which had begun at the time of inspection.

Staff were caring, compassionate and kind. We saw respectful and empathetic staff practice, which was also demonstrated in care records. People’s independence, privacy and dignity was understood and promoted. People could share their views and opinion on how they wished to be supported. There was an awareness of people’s protected equality and diversity characteristics.

Care was planned in a way which suited individuals, including a ‘resident of the day’ scheme to ensure people’s preferences and choices were met. There was a clear system for complaints, and the service had received a number of compliments. People could access a wide range of meaningful social and leisure activities both inside Read House and in the local community. The Accessible Information Standard was met. People received dignified end of life care.

Since the last inspection, a new provider had taken over ownership of the service. A new manager had also just come into post 3 days before our inspection began. Despite this, there were effective processes and systems in place for quality assurance. Leaders were committed to the continuous development and improvement of Read House. There was a positive and open culture, and leaders were approachable. A relative told us, “We met the owners, and they were very welcoming.” The service worked well in partnership with other stakeholders.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 14 December 2020.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Recommendations

We have made a recommendation about recruitment practice.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.