Vinegar House

Updated 24 October 2019

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type

Vinegar House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

What we did before the 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 contacted Healthwatch, which is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service. Four members of staff, which included, a care support worker, two assistant managers, and the registered manager.

We looked at all or parts of the care records and other relevant records of three people, as well as a range of records relating to the running of the service. We also reviewed three staff records.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested them to review and update their electrical fixed wire certificate.

Updated 24 October 2019

About the service

Vinegar House is a residential care home which provides care to people with mental health needs. It is registered to provide care for up to 13 people. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people living at the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

Systems were in place to report safeguarding concerns to keep people safe from harm. Risks were assessed and monitored to ensure risks were kept to a minimum. There were enough staff to ensure people were supported sufficiently. Medicines were administered in a safe way. The service had a good standard of hygiene and followed infection control protocols. Systems were in place to monitor themes and trends when things went wrong.

People’s needs were assessed, and records showed people received person-centred care that reflected their needs and preferences. People felt staff had attended sufficient training and did a good job supporting them. Staff received supervision and met with management regularly, but meetings were not always recorded. People received a balanced diet and were supported to eat and drink sufficiently. People were supported to attended medical appointments to keep them safe and well. The service had a good relationship with GP’s and other professionals to ensure people received the correct care and support.

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 told us the staff were lovely. Staff always spoke to people with respect and compassion. People were supported to share their views and opinions. Staff supported people to live independent life styles and their privacy and dignity was always respected. People were supported to reach their goals and communication needs were met.

Care planning was assessed and personalised to ensure individual needs were met. People’s confidence development, living skills and healthy eating was supported. People participated in a variety of activities. Systems and processes were in place to manage complaints and concerns. End of life care was explored.

The registered manager understood their duty of candour but did not always follow up to make sure all incidents had been reported correctly when required. Quality monitoring was in place but did not identify the concerns we found. People were empowered to achieve good outcomes and were involved in their care and support. People were encouraged to engage and share their views. The registered manager said they would review their processes and procedures to ensure they were robust and fit for purpose as a continued learning process. Commissioners gave positive feedback.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection was Good (19 October 2016 last report published)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.