Background to this inspection
Updated
17 December 2020
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 care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice is safe, and the service is compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.
This inspection was started on 24 November 2020, but due to an unforeseen event, was completed on 25 November 2020 and was an announced inspection.
Updated
17 December 2020
About the service
Syne Hills Care Home provides personal care and accommodation to up to 35 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. The home was arranged across three floors in one converted home. There were 30 people living at the service at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe, relaxed and comfortable in a clean and homely environment they knew well.
Risk assessments contained sufficiently detailed person-centred information. Daily recording information was accurate and up to date. Staff demonstrated a good knowledge and awareness of risks.
The premises and all equipment were well maintained.
Medicines were managed safely, including storage, administration, disposal and all relevant training and competency assessments of staff.
Staff worked proactively with external healthcare professionals to ensure people’s needs were met effectively. Staff were well trained and well supported to provide high standards of care to people.
People’s capacity was assumed and staff acted in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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. Best interest decision-making followed best practice guidance.
People were included in the running of the service, for instance in making decisions about meals, décor and activities. Feedback from people, their relatives and a range of external professionals was extremely positive regarding the compassionate, affectionate and sensitive approach of staff. The service felt welcoming and calm as a result. People consistently told us there was a family atmosphere.
People ate well and had a choice of meals and snacks. Menus were varied and staff were patient when helping people decide what meals to choose.
The premises were suitable and spacious. The first floor would benefit from having regard to best practice in dementia friendly environments.
End of life care was in place. Feedback from external professionals was positive.
A range of group and individual activities were in place and this was a particular strength of the service. There were good levels of community involvement in place and social isolation was limited wherever possible. Feedback from people and relatives was positive.
The registered manager, director and home manager were well respected in the organisation and further afield. They had a stable staff team who shared a consistent person-centred approach to care. The home manager was responsive to feedback about areas of emerging best practice and how to incorporate this into the service.
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 (published 1 December 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.