Archived: Parkside Care Home

Parkside Care Home is registered to provide care for a maximum of 36 people. The management team told us 23 people were using the service when we inspected. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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 provider’s systems and processes did not enable them to effectively assess, monitor and improve the service. They did not effectively monitor and mitigate risk. Checks were not always carried out to make sure the premises and equipment were safe and comfortable to use. Bathrooms and some toilets had no heating. People did not receive regular baths and showers.

People’s care plans varied in quality. We saw some had good information about people’s preferences, likes and dislikes, however, we also saw there was sometimes a lack of guidance and evidence that appropriate care had been delivered. Risk assessments covered key areas of risk but were not always effective.

We observed many positive and kind interactions between staff and people who used the service. People were comfortable in the company of staff and others they lived with. Staff knew people well and were familiar with their routines and preferences. Staff obtained verbal consent from people before delivering care. However, we also saw two occasions where staff were not focused on the people they were supporting because they were talking to each other. Staff referred to people as ‘singles’ and doubles’.

A choice of meals was provided although this was limited; the alternative main meal was a snack type meal such as jacket potato, soup and sandwiches, chip butty or salad. People received regular snacks between breakfast, lunch and teatime, however, we saw people who got up early had to wait two hours before they received a drink. The service did not have an activity worker which meant person centred activities and social stimulation was not being provided on a regular basis.

People told us they were happy living at Parkside Care Home. Everyone we spoke with said staff were friendly and kind. People we spoke with said they would feel comfortable talking to staff or the registered manager if they had concerns.

At the time of the inspection there were enough staff to keep people safe; the provider was introducing a dependency tool to help calculate staffing requirements. Staff received training and support to help them understand their role and responsibilities.

We found four breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) regulations 2014: The provider was not always assessing and managing risk: The provider’s systems and processes did not enable them to assess, monitor and improve the service. The provider did not ensure the care people received was appropriate. The provider did not ensure people's nutritional needs were met. You can see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.