About the service: Wickmeads is a care home without nursing registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 50 people. At the time of our inspection 41 people were living there.
People’s experience of using this service:
People told us they felt safe. They were relaxed and familiar with the staff and each other. People were cared for by a staff team who had received appropriate training to carry out their roles. Staff spoke knowledgably about the systems in place to safeguard people from abuse.
People’s medicines were managed safely, stored securely and administered by trained staff. People received assistance to take their medicines as prescribed. We have made a recommendation around the management and recording of people's medicines and prescribed topical creams.
The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. However, we have made a recommendation regarding the management of people’s Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards conditions.
Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were regularly assessed, reviewed and updated.
The provider had robust recruitment systems to ensure staff were safely recruited. Staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals to ensure they were fully supported in their role. There was an effective training programme that staff felt was interesting and well delivered.
Staff felt well supported in their roles and found the management team open, honest and approachable.
People’s health care needs were met, and staff supported them to see healthcare professionals when appropriate.
People’s dietary needs and preferences were assessed and where needed, people received support to eat and drink. This was provided in a discreet and friendly way. The dining rooms were attractively laid out to ensure people could have an enjoyable meal time experience.
People received care from staff that knew them well and treated them with kindness, compassion, respect and dignity. People's care was tailored to their individual needs and maintained their independence as much as possible. Care plans were detailed, person centred and reviewed regularly to ensure they reflected people’s needs.
The service had an activity programme for people to enjoy if they wished. Activities included outings to places of interest, and towns as well as indoor activities. People had one-to-one support to take part in activities to prevent social isolation.
People and their relatives knew how to complain and were confident their views would be heard.
There was a system of ongoing monitoring through audits and spot checks to review the quality of the service provided.
People, relatives, staff and health professionals expressed confidence in the management team and felt the service had a clear management structure and an open and supportive culture.
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 was good (report published in August 2017).
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the rating from the last inspection.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.