Archived: Riverside House

We found the following examples of good practice.

Staff were trained in infection prevention and control and using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) safely.

The provider had ensured sufficient quantities of PPE were available.

The registered manager ensured clear information about maintaining social distancing was in place to guide staff and visitors. They had rearranged communal areas in the home to support social distancing.

The registered manager had followed government guidance about visiting. They had supported relatives to visit people who were at the end of life.

The registered manager followed best practice around safe admissions when people moved into the home.

The registered manager had arranged for regular COVID-19 testing for staff and people who lived in the home.

The staff team kept the home clean and hygienic. Frequently touched surfaces were cleaned regularly throughout the day to reduce the risk of infection.

The registered manager had reviewed staffing arrangements. Staff were allocated to consistently work in specific areas of the home to reduce the risk of transmission of infection.

The provider had robust contingency plans in place to ensure the safety of the service during the pandemic.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

At our last inspection in April 2016 the service was rated as good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Riverside House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The home is registered for up to 34 older people and for people who may be living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 22 people living at Riverside House. Accommodation is provided over two floors with several communal areas where people can choose to dine or spend time in the lounges.

There was registered manager in post. 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.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs. Staff training was ongoing and staff had received sufficient training to safely support and care for people. Staff were also supported through regular staff meetings, supervision and appraisals.

We saw that the service worked with a variety of external agencies and health professionals to provide appropriate care and support to meet people’s physical and emotional health needs.

People received their medications as they had been prescribed. Appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to the storage, care planning and records for the administration of medicines.

People’s rights were protected. The registered manager was knowledgeable about their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were only deprived of their liberty if this had been authorised by the appropriate body or where applications had been made to do so.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People living in the home were supported to access activities that were made available to them and pass times of their choice.

When employing fit and proper persons the recruitment process had included all of the required checks of suitability.

Auditing and quality monitoring systems were in place that allowed the service to demonstrate effectively the safety and quality of the home.

We observed staff displayed caring and meaningful interactions with people and people were treated with respect. We observed people's dignity and privacy were actively promoted by the staff supporting them.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

As part of our regulatory activity we found that the provider for the service was not registered correctly with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). We discussed this with Cumbria County Council and they submitted an application to correct their registration details. As part of the county council’s registration application we carried out an assessment of Riverside House in October 2015. We judged that the service was likely to be safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Riverside House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 34 older people. The home is in a residential area of Kendal. It is run by Cumbria County Council.

The home is on three floors with accommodation arranged into three living units and a unit where people receive planned support to regain their independence after an illness or injury. One unit provides support to people living with dementia. There is a passenger lift to help people access rooms, including bedrooms, on the upper floors of the home.

There was a registered manager employed at the home. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Everyone we spoke with told us that this was a good home and said that they would recommend it to other people.

People who lived at the home were well cared for and safe. They were included in decisions about their care and maintained their independence and control over their lives.

There were enough staff to provide the care people required. The staff were well trained and knew how to keep people safe.

Visitors were made welcome in the home and people could see their friends and relatives as they wanted.

People were supported to maintain good health. They received their medicines as their doctor had prescribed. People were supported to receive appropriate health care.

People were provided with choices of meals, snacks and drinks. Mealtimes were pleasant and sociable occasions.

The staff employed at the home knew people well. They knew the care people required and how they wanted this to be provided.

People knew the registered manager and could speak to her if they had any concerns about their care. The registered manager asked people for their views and people were included in developing the service.

The registered manager was knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to protect people’s rights.