Kirby House

Updated 1 September 2023

The inspection

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.

This was a targeted inspection to check on a concern we had about fire safety.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Kirby House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Kirby House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

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

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager and deputy manager. We reviewed the safety of the environment and reviewed relevant processes and policies relating to the fire and rescue service enforcement notice.

Updated 1 September 2023

Kirby House is a residential care home that provides care and support for up to 40 older people. At the time of our inspection 40 people were using the service and some people were living with dementia.

At the last inspection on 11 December 2015 the service was rated Good. However, we rated the well-led domain as requiring improvements. This was because they did not have a registered manager in post at the time of the inspection. We asked the provider to make the necessary improvements. At this inspection we found that the required improvements had been made and the service was rated Good overall.

There was a registered manager in place. It is a requirement that the service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People felt safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to keep people safe from avoidable harm. There were a suitable number of staff deployed and the provider had followed safe recruitment practices. Where risks were identified for people while they were receiving support these had been assessed and control measures put in place. People received their medicines in line with their prescription.

Staff had access to the support, supervision and training that they required to work effectively in their roles. Where agency staff were used, induction was provided to make sure that they were able to meet people's needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People had enough to eat and drink to maintain good health and nutrition. People were supported to access health professionals when required.

People were treated with kindness and compassion. Dignity and respect for people was promoted.

People had care plans in place that focused on them as individuals. This enabled staff to provide consistent care in line with people's personal preferences.

The service had a positive ethos and an open culture. The providers and registered manager provided positive leadership to all staff.

The provider had sought feedback from people and their relatives about the service they received.

The provider's complaints procedure had been followed when a concern had been raised and people felt able to make a complaint if they needed to.

The provider had quality assurance systems to review the quality of the service to help drive improvement.