Amherst House

Updated 7 June 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.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by 3 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Amherst 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. Amherst House is a care home with 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 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 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 5 people who used the service and 6 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We made observations of people being supported. We spoke with 9 members of staff including the registered manager, a nurse, a housekeeper and 6 care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment.

Updated 7 June 2023

About the service

Amherst House is registered to provide nursing and personal care for up to 60 older people. At the time of our inspection there were 56 people living at the service. Some people using the service were living with dementia.

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

People were kept safe from abuse and avoidable harm. People told us they felt safe using the service because they were supported by staff who knew their needs well. Staff knew how to manage risks associated with people’s care and there were enough staff available to support people safely.

People and relatives spoke positively about the staff and the support they received. Action had been taken to reduce the risk of the spread of infection and the provider had ensured practices were updated according to national guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People's needs and choices were assessed and planned for, and their preferences had been considered. Staff supported people to manage their nutritional needs safely and people were complimentary about the food. Staff were safely recruited and inducted. They had access to appropriate training and supervision to ensure they had the skills to support people effectively.

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 were supported to access activities, outings and celebrations. Friends and relatives were welcomed into the service and people were supported to maintain relationships. Staff supported people to access healthcare services as required. Any specialist support was recorded, and actions completed.

The registered manager provided clear direction which helped to empower people to achieve positive outcomes. People and relatives were involved with the running of the service. Staff felt valued and supported by the management team.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 10 December 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was outstanding, published on 12 July 2019.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.