Ivybank House Care Home

Updated 30 March 2021

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 the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 9 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 30 March 2021

About the service

Ivybank House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 36 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 43 people.

Ivybank House Care Home is spread out across two floors and made up of two ‘wings’: the old wing and the new wing, all floors are serviced by a lift. There are a variety of bedrooms, some with en-suite facilities, wet rooms and others without. Communal toilets, bathrooms and shower rooms are located across the wings and to each floor. People have access to three lounges and a conservatory, there is further level access to the garden. The communal dining room is located adjacent to the kitchen on the ground floor, further seating is available in the adjoining conservatory. A reception area is located close to the main entrance and adjacent to the registered manager’s office. There is car parking available to the front of the home.

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

People told us they felt comfortable to complain and we found complaints were dealt with effectively and sympathetically. People were supported to access activities that were enjoyable and meaningful to them. Personalised care was provided that was designed to meet their needs and were supported to access information that was important and relevant to them. The staff worked to ensure people experienced a pain free and dignified death, building links with the local hospice who provided end of life training for some care staff.

People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. There was an effective programme of quality audits in place and these were used to drive improvement and identify concerns, shortfalls, errors and omissions. The provider used continuous learning to improve peoples’ experiences of care. Statutory notifications were submitted to the Commission in line with legal requirements. People and staff were involved with the running of the home through questionnaires, meetings and the auditing process.

People were protected from potential harm and abuse. Staff spoke confidently about how they would identify abuse and what actions they would take if abuse was suspected. Risks were assessed and managed, there was guidance available for staff about how they could lower the risk of potential harm to people. Significant improvements had been made to the management of medicines and people told us they received their medicines when they should. Systems were in place to prevent the spread of infection including developing a process to find a suitable alternative storage for soiled laundry that was currently stored in corridors. Staff were recruited safely as appropriate checks were completed prior to staff working in the home. We received mixed comments from staff and people about staffing levels.

People were supported by well-trained staff who were kind and caring. People told us their privacy and dignity were respected and they were supported to retain their independence. Relatives told us their loved ones were well cared for by knowledgeable and kind staff.

Care plans reflected individual needs, choices and preferences, including guidance for staff about how they could help meet the identified needs. People were supported to access food and drink. We did receive mixed feedback about peoples’ experiences of the quality of the food prepared in the home. Staff received training relevant to their roles and people confirmed they were supported by staff who were well-trained. People were supported to access healthcare.

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

Rating at last inspection (and update) The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published October 2018). A condition was imposed on the provider at the last inspection to report on improvements relating to medicines management. These monthly reports were submitted as required. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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