The Radcliffe

Updated 2 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 inspection team consisted of an inspector, an assistant inspector 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

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

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.

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 commissioning and safeguarding teams. 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 ten people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten members of staff including the registered manager, a senior carer, four care assistants, activities organiser and three staff from the catering, housekeeping and maintenance team. We also spoke with a visiting health care professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We requested further information from the registered manager to validate the evidence found. This was received, and the information was used as part of our inspection.

Updated 2 October 2019

About the service

The Radcliffe is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 27 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 34 people.

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

Care records included a range of risk assessments although where people needed a hoist to transfer, more detail was required. The premises and equipment were safe although a safety belt on a stair lift had not been replaced, as recommended following a safety check. Some improvements were needed to ensure the storage of medicines were safe. The recruitment of staff was safe and there were enough numbers of staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

People were assessed to ensure the home could meet their needs before moving into the home. People had access to other health care professionals if needed. Staff received induction, training and ongoing management supervision. Feedback about the meals people received were mixed. 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.

Staff were caring and kind. People were treated with dignity and respect. People’s right to privacy was respected and their personal information was stored confidentially. People were supported to express their views and were involved in their care plans.

Peoples care records were detailed, person centred, neatly organised and updated at regular intervals. Care records included the support people needed to communicate. There were a variety of activities provided for people to keep them engaged. Complaints were logged and addressed.

Staff, people and visitors felt the home was well led. Regular audits were undertaken although the audits had not identified the shortfalls we raised during the inspection. The registered manager understood their regulatory responsibilities. Regular meetings were held with people who lived at the home. The registered manager regularly met and communicated with all staff who worked at the home.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 16 March 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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.