Vera James House

Updated 16 July 2022

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by two inspectors.

Service and service type

Vera James 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. Vera James 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This 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 the local authority who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and four relatives. We received feedback from the local authority about the home. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, senior care staff, head of housekeeping and a care assistant. We also spoke with a visiting social care professional.

We reviewed a range of records, this included six people's care records. We looked at medicines’ records and three staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the home were also reviewed, including incident records, complaints, compliments, quality assurance processes and policies.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarity about the fire risk assessment actions and staff recruitment.

Updated 16 July 2022

Vera James House is a residential care home providing accommodation, personal care and support to up to 42 older people, some of whom may have dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 37 people using the service.

The care home accommodates up to 42 people in one purpose-built property. One of the areas in the home provides care to people living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Staff used their training to safeguard people wherever possible and support people to keep them safe. If staff had any concerns about people's safety and welfare, they knew where to report this both inside and outside of the home. People received their medicines as prescribed and staff ensured they followed infection prevention guidance and good practise. Staff encouraged people to eat healthily and drink enough.

Staff were kind, caring and knew people’s individual needs, wishes and preferences well. They also knew and monitored people’s assessed risks. Staff listened and respected people’s concerns and suggestions. Staff gave people privacy, treated them with dignity and respect when supporting them, and helped maintain people's independence. Staff involved people and their relatives, when reviewing people’s care and support requirements. Staff were responsive to people’s changing care and support needs. Care plans were reviewed and updated when changes occurred.

Enough skilled and suitable staff had been safely recruited. Staff had received the required training, spot checks and ongoing support to help them maintain and improve their skills to fulfil their role and responsibilities.

Compliments about the service provided by staff had been received. Complaints were investigated and resolved wherever possible and actions were taken to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Monitoring and oversight of the service provided was effective in identifying and driving improvements. The registered manager and the staff team took on board learning when things went wrong. The registered manager led by example and had cultivated an open and honest staff team culture. Audits were undertaken and there was a home improvement plan in place. The registered manager reported to the board of directors to ensure organisational oversight was in place. The registered manager and staff team worked well with other organisations, health and social care professionals to provide people with joined up care.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.

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 this service under the previous provider was Good, published 31 May 2019. This service was registered with us on 02 December 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was based on the service being unrated under its current provider's registration.

Follow up

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