Archived: Airedale Care Home

Airedale Care Home provides accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care. The home is not a nursing home but does support people to access nursing specialists. It is situated on the outskirts of Leeds near the town of Pudsey. The home can support up to a maximum of 40 older people.

The home 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.

People were supported by staff who had a good understanding of how to keep them safe, identify signs of abuse and report these appropriately.

Robust processes to check the suitability of staff to work with people were in place. There were sufficient staff available to meet the needs of people and they received support to ensure people were cared for in line with their needs and preferences.

Staff training was monitored and completed in line with the provider policy. Staff supervision had not always been completed in line with the provider’s policy.

Medicines were administered, stored and ordered in a safe and effective way. Some documentation was not in place for peoples ‘as required’ medicines.

Risk assessments formed plans of care for people to ensure their safety and welfare and staff had a good awareness of these. Incidents and accidents were clearly documented and investigated. Actions and learning were identified from these and shared with all staff.

People were encouraged and supported to make decisions about their care and welfare. Where people were unable to consent to their care the provider was guided by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where people were legally deprived of their liberty the service ensured their safety and appropriate guidance had been followed.

People received a variety of nutritious meals in line with their needs and preferences. Those who required specific dietary requirements for a health need were supported to manage these.

People's privacy and dignity was maintained and staff were caring and considerate as they supported people. Staff involved people and their relatives in the planning of their care.

Care plans in place for people reflected their identified needs and the associated risks. Plans were written in a person centred way documenting people’s personal preferences.

Staff were caring and compassionate and knew people in the home very well. External health and social care professionals spoke highly of the care and support people received at the home. They were involved in the care of people and care plans reflected this.

Effective systems were in place to monitor and evaluate any concerns or complaints received and to ensure learning outcomes or improvements were identified from these. Staff encouraged people and their relatives to share their concerns and experiences with them.

The service had a good staffing structure which provided support, guidance and stability for people, staff and their relatives. Relatives spoke highly of the registered manager and all staff.

A system of audits in place at the home had identified improvements required with care plans and records in the home and these were mostly being addressed.