Vine House

Updated 30 January 2024

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.

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 1 inspector and 1 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

Vine 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. Vine 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 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 use the service and 7 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 6 staff including the deputy manager, cook, care workers and the registered manager. The registered manager is also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also observed how staff provided support for people to help us better understand their experiences of the care they received.

We had a tour of the building with the deputy manager. We reviewed a range of records including records relating to medicines, staff recruitment, building maintenance, cleaning and equipment checks, accidents and incidents and safeguarding logs. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service including audits and policies and procedures.

Updated 30 January 2024

About the service

Vine House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 14 people in one adapted building with bedrooms over 2 floors. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people using this service.

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

Risks to people’s health and safety were not always identified and medicines were not always managed and stored safely. During the inspection we noticed the communal areas were unattended for some time and no action had been taken in relation to 1 staff member not having any references. We made recommendations about this. People felt safe using this service and relatives praised the staff team. Infection control processes were followed and visits were actively encouraged.

People’s needs were assessed before they started using this service and the provider worked well with other healthcare professionals. Staff received an induction when they started in their role and completed various training courses to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to safely care for people. 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 treated with dignity and respect by staff who knew them well. People were encouraged to make their own decisions and were involved in their care planning process.

Concerns were raised about the lack of stimulation provided to people and the lack of activities provided. We made a recommendation about this. Care plans contained people’s personal information to help staff get to know people well and prompt conversation. Concerns and complaints were listened to. People’s end of life wishes were recorded where appropriate.

Governance systems were in place but were not always effective. There was limited evidence of risks being identified or reduced and audits did not always identify concerns found during the inspection. Feedback was sought from staff, people and their relatives. Staff had not had a supervision for some time but did attend regular staff meetings. People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and management team.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 5 June 2019 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 1 February 2017.

Why we inspected

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

Enforcement and Recommendations

We have identified breaches in relation to medicines management, the health and safety of people living at this service and governance processes. We made recommendations in relation to staffing levels, staff recruitment processes and activities.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.