Rivermead View

Updated 13 September 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Rivermead View is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eleven people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and one visiting relative. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, care staff, domestic staff and cook. We spoke a General Practitioner (GP) and a trainee GP during the inspection visit. We spoke with two relatives on the telephone to gain their views of the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 13 September 2022

About the service

Rivermead View Residential Care Home provides accommodation with personal care for up to 32 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. There were 29 people using the service at the time of our inspection.

Rivermead View is situated in the town of Looe in Cornwall. It is a three-storey building with a range of aids and adaptations in place to meet the needs of people living there. It is close to the centre of Looe, to shops and the beach with links to public transport. People had their own bedrooms and access to a communal dining area, lounge and conservatory. There were a range of bathing facilities designed to meet the needs of the people using the service. There was a garden which people could use if they were being supported.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Medicines were managed safely to ensure people received them in accordance with their health needs and the prescriber’s instructions. External creams and lotions, to maintain people’s skin integrity, were applied during personal care. However, the dates of opening the creams were not recorded. This helps staff check creams remained in date and safe to use. We have made a recommendation about this.

People were positive about the care and support that they received. Comments included; “I feel safe here”, “I love it here” and “I couldn’t be happier”.

Relatives were also complimentary about the service. Comments included; “[Person’s name] is very safe here. I don’t have to worry”, “From the word go they were amazing. There was good communication”, “Care is really good I can fault it, the carers are great” and “[Registered manager] has made a real difference there, it’s a job but it’s also a vocation for him. Without [registered managers name] that place wouldn’t have survived COVID.”

There were enough staff to meet people's needs and ensure their safety. People told us; “Staff work hard, they are very attentive”. Appropriate recruitment procedures ensured prospective staff were suitable to work in the home.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of 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.

People, and their relatives were involved in the development and review of their care plans which detailed their needs and preferences. Staff knew people's care needs well. People were supported to engage in activities.

People were involved in the development of the menus at the service and told us; “The food is on the whole good.” People were supported to eat a balanced diet and drink enough to keep hydrated.

There were processes in place to prevent and control infection at the service, through access to COVID-19 testing where necessary, additional cleaning and safe visiting precautions.

Staff told us that they had received the training they needed to meet people’s needs safely and effectively. The registered manager maintained oversight of training to ensure staff had the necessary training, knowledge and skills to provide consistent care.

Staff felt supported by the management team. Staff were supported in their roles through a plan of supervision. Staff told us they felt supported by the registered and deputy managers.

Staff were proud to work at Rivermead View and had built positive relationships with the people they supported.

The management team maintained oversight of complaints, accidents and incidents and safeguarding concerns. The management team engaged well with health and social care professionals. Systems to assess and monitor the quality and safety of the care provided were in place. They were effective in assessing quality and identifying and driving improvement. The service had clear and effective governance systems in place.

The environment was decorated and furnished to a good standard and there was equipment available to support staff in providing safe care and support. Health and safety checks of the environment and equipment were carried out.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Last rating and update

The last rating for this service was Good (published 12 September 2018). We had carried out two focused inspection since then to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. These inspections were not rated and were published 24 August 2020 and 28 March 2022.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection as part of a random selection of services rated Good and Outstanding.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.