9 May 2017
During a routine inspection
There was 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager helped us during our inspection.
We last inspected Courthill House in January 2016 when we identified concerns in relation to deployment of staff, risk assessments, nutrition, person-centred care, records and staff not always treating people in a respectful way. We found at this inspection things had improved and although we highlighted some minor things to the registered manager she dealt with these immediately, so we were satisfied that we had no similar concerns.
People lived in a homely environment. People’s rooms were cosy and personalised. People were encouraged to be independent and supported to do things for themselves. Staff supported people to eat a good range of foods. Those with a specific dietary requirement were provided with appropriate food. People had access to external health services and professional involvement was sought by staff when appropriate to help maintain good health.
People were encouraged to take part in activities which were meaningful to them. People were given choice on what they wished to do during the day, not only within the home but if they wished to go out. People’s care records were detailed and included sufficient information for staff to know how to care for someone.
Medicines were managed in a safe way and recording of medicines demonstrated people had received the medicines they required. Risks to people had been identified and guidance was in place to help reduce the risk of harm to individuals. Accidents and incidents were recorded and action taken to help prevent reoccurrence. Appropriate checks were carried out to help ensure only suitable staff worked in the home.
Staff met with their line manager on a one to one basis and staff said they felt supported. We found the registered manager had good management oversight of the home and there was a good culture within the team.
There were a sufficient number of staff on duty to enable people to either stay indoors or go out to their individual activities. It was evident staff knew people well, understood people’s individuality and needs and respected people when they wished to have time alone. Staff were caring to people.
Staff had followed legal requirements to make sure that any decisions made or restrictions to people were done in the person’s best interests. Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
Staff received a good range of training which included training specific to the needs of people living at Courthill House. Staff met together regularly as a team to discuss all aspects of the home and they were aware of their responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse.
Staff and the provider undertook quality assurance audits to ensure the care provided was of a standard people should expect. Any areas identified as needing improvement were actioned.
Regular fire checks and fire drills were carried out to help ensure staff would know what to do in the event of an emergency. The registered manager had increased night staff to cover this possibility and if necessary people would be moved to another of the provider’s homes if Courthill House had to be closed.
A complaints procedure was available for any concerns. This was displayed in a format that was easy for people to understand. People, their relatives were encouraged to be involved in the running of the home.