Portland House

Updated 17 February 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 8 February 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 17 February 2022

What life is like for people using this service:

People felt safe living at Portland House and with the staff team who supported them. They told us the staff team were kind and caring and they treated them in a considerate and respectful manner.

People’s thought varied on the numbers of staff deployed to work on each shift. Whilst most felt there were enough staff members to meet people’s care and support needs, some did not. Observations identified times when there were no staff members available in the lounges and limited interactions between the people using the service and the staff team was seen. Limited activities were being offered due to no formal replacement for the planned absence of the activities coordinator. It was recommended that staffing levels be revisited to ensure appropriate numbers of staff were deployed on each shift to effectively meet people’s needs.

Most areas of the service were clean and tidy. The staff team had received training in infection control and personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons were readily available and used by the staff team throughout our visit.

The risks associated with people’s care and support had been assessed. People's care and support needs had been identified and plans of care had been developed. The staff team knew the needs of the people they were supporting well.

People were supported to access healthcare services when they needed them and they were supported to eat and drink well. They were involved in making decisions about their care and support and their consent was always obtained.

People were supported with their medicines in a safe way though we identified one occasion when one person did not receive their medicines. Protocols were in place and followed with regards to medicines prescribed ‘as and when required’.

Appropriate checks had been carried out on new members of staff to make sure they were suitable to work at the service and relevant training and support had been provided. The staff team felt supported by the management team and involved in how the service was run.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service being provided. People’s views of the service were sought. This was through regular meetings, surveys and informal chats. A complaints procedure was in place and people knew what to do if they had a concern of any kind.

The registered manager and the management team worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure people received care and support that was consistent with their assessed needs.

More information can be found in the detailed findings below

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published 14 April 2016)

About the service: Portland House is a residential care home that provides personal care and support to up to 19 older people including people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection 13 people were using the service.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.