The inspection visit took place on 21 June and was unannounced.West View Care Home is a registered care service providing personal care, nursing care and support for up to 19 older people. There were 16 people using the service when we visited, some of whom were living with dementia.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager is currently on extended leave and the provider has made suitable arrangements to manage the service in their absence.
At the last inspection on 17 February 2016 the provider was failing to meet one regulation. This related to unsafe arrangements in place for the storage and management of medicines. During this inspection the provider demonstrated to us that improvements had been made.
Staff knew their responsibilities to help keep people safe from harm and abuse. The acting manager took action if an accident or incident occurred. Measures were put in place to try to minimise future risk.
Risks to people's health and wellbeing were assessed and monitored so that staff had the information they needed on how to help people to remain safe. Apart from one person the provider had safely recruited a suitable number of staff to provide care and support to people. We brought this to the director’s attention who made arrangements to make the necessary checks.
Staff were supported through supervision and training. People who used the service told us told us they felt staff were well trained and competent.
People were asked for their consent before care and support was undertaken.
People were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People's mental capacity had been assessed for specific decisions. Any decision made in a person's best interest involved important people in their life. The provider had made applications to the appropriate body where they had sought to deprive people of their liberties to make sure this was appropriate. Staff understood the requirements under the Act.
Staff understood the importance of people having healthy diets and eating and drinking well. Staff knew people's dietary requirements and where there were concerns about a person's eating and drinking, specialist advice was obtained. They also supported people to access health services when they needed them.
People's dignity and privacy was protected and staff offered their support in caring and compassionate ways. People's friends and family could visit.
People contributed to the assessment of their needs and to reviews of their care plans where possible. People's care plans were individual to their needs.
When people expressed preferences about their care and support these were acted upon by the service. Staff had information available to them about people's preferences and care needs.
People knew how to raise concerns if they felt they had to. They were confident the managers would take any concerns seriously.
People had access to activities that were important and relevant to them. People were protected from social isolation with the activities, interests and hobbies they were involved with.
The environment was monitored and checked regularly to make sure it was safe for people, relatives and staff. The provider also monitored the service by asking for people's feedback about the service as well as undertaking a range of checks and audits.
People told us the staff were friendly and the managers were visible and approachable. Staff were encouraged to contribute to the improvement of the home. Staff told us they would report any concerns to their manager. Staff told us they had good management and leadership from the acting manager.