Archived: Kingfisher Court

Updated 2 June 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 27 April 2016. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included past reports and notifications. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We spoke with two people who lived at the service. Not everyone we met who was living at Kingfisher Court was able to give us their verbal views of the care and support they received due to their health needs. We looked around the premises and observed care practices.

We looked at care documentation for two people living at the service, medicines records for seven people, five staff files, training records and other records relating to the management of the service.

During the inspection we spoke with four relatives of people living at the service, four staff and one visiting healthcare professional. Following the inspection we spoke with two families and a further healthcare professional.

Updated 2 June 2016

This unannounced comprehensive inspection took place on 27 April 2016. The last inspection took place on 19 June 2014. The service was meeting the requirements of the regulations at this time.

Kingfisher Court is a care home which offers nursing care and support for up to 13 people. The service is purpose built to provide specialist accommodation and rehabilitation facilities for those with acquired brain injury and associated neurological conditions. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people living at the service.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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.

We walked around the service which was spacious, airy and comfortable. Each person’s room was ensuite and personalised to reflect their individual tastes. People received very personalised care and were treated with kindness, compassion and respect.

We looked at how medicines were managed and administered. We found it was possible to establish if people had received their medicine as prescribed. Regular medicines audits were consistently identifying if any errors occurred.

The service had identified the numbers of staff required to meet people’s needs and these were being met. Some people required one to one support from staff throughout the day and we saw this was provided.

Staff were supported by a system of induction training, supervision and appraisals. Staff knew how to recognise and report the signs of abuse. Staff received training relevant for their roles and there were good opportunities for on-going training and support and development. More specialised training specific to the needs of people using the service was provided. For example, epilepsy care, continence and stoma care and care of people with acquired brain injury.

Staff meetings were held regularly. These allowed staff to air any concerns or suggestions they had regarding the running of the service and share information related to people living at the service.

Meals were appetising and people were offered a choice in line with their dietary requirements and preferences. Where necessary staff monitored what people ate to help ensure they stayed healthy. One person who had specific dietary needs had requested and was being provided with the necessary equipment in their room to enable them to prepare some of their own meals.

The registered manager, deputy manager and all staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Applications had been made for authorisations for potentially restrictive care plans. Authorisations had been granted for people to be deprived of their liberty so that they could be cared for safely. The service had robust processes and procedures in place to monitor when reviews of these authorisations were due.

Care plans were well organised, detailed and contained accurate and up to date information. Care planning was reviewed regularly and people’s changing needs recorded. People were involved in the planning of their own care and where appropriate, relatives were included.

Activities were provided on a one to one basis by staff according to each person’s needs and interests. People were supported to have good access to the local community and were able to take part in varied activities that they enjoyed.

The registered manager was supported by the provider through regular telephone conversations and meetings. At the service support was provided by the deputy manager and a motivated team of nurses and senior care staff. Some staff had worked at the service for some time and all staff told us they enjoyed their work and felt they were a good team.