Background to this inspection
Updated
11 May 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 was planned to check 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.
We inspected the service on 21 and 22 March 2016. We gave short notice to the registered provider because we needed to be sure that key people would be available for our visit. The inspection team consisted of two adult social care inspectors and a pharmacist specialist advisor.
We spent time at the service looking at records. This included three people’s care and support records, four staff recruitment files, policies and procedures and other records relating to the management of the service.
Before our inspection, we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included looking at any safeguarding referrals received, whether any complaints had been made and any other information from members of the public. Before the inspection we looked at notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law.
We contacted the local authority safeguarding and contracts teams for their views on the service. No concerns were raised about this service.
On the days of our inspection we spoke with six people who used the service, two relatives, the registered manager and eight staff members.
Updated
11 May 2016
We inspected this service on 21 and 22 March 2016 and we gave short notice to the registered provider prior to our visit. This was to ensure that key people were available during the visit.
St Luke's Hospice provides specialist care for people with advanced life limiting illnesses, including day and inpatient services to people over the age of 18 years. There are 10 inpatient beds at the service. During the last year the hospice supported 182 people in the inpatient unit and 140 people in the day services. The hospice delivers physical, emotional and holistic care through teams of nurses, doctors, counsellors, chaplain and other professionals including social workers, benefits advisors and therapists. The service provides specialist advice and input, symptom control and liaison with healthcare professionals.
The services provided include counselling and bereavement support, a Lymphedema service (for people who experience swellings and inflammations), an outpatient clinic, occupational and creative therapy, physiotherapy, chaplaincy and volunteer services that include approximately 1200 volunteers. The service is situated in Winsford, close to the shops and other local amenities. Car parking is available to the side of the premises.
The previous inspection was undertaken in August 2013 and the service had met the regulations in place at that time.
There is a registered manager in place at this service, who has been registered for three months. 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.
People told us that they received a good quality of care from all the staff at the hospice. They staff were kind, patient and caring towards them and supported them to meet their physical, social and emotional needs. People described the culture of the hospice as positive.
People told us they felt safe at the service with the staff team. Staff had been trained to recognise and report any signs of abuse. No safeguarding issues had arisen at the service since the last inspection.
The staffing levels were good and sufficient staff were seen on the days the inspection took place. Staff were well trained and had access to a variety of courses to enable them to develop their skills and knowledge base. Good support was given by senior management and regular meetings and supervision sessions were undertaken.
End of life care was given in sensitive and appropriate ways that acknowledged people’s rights and preferences. The service promoted a “focus on living” approach to care which supported people and their families to enjoy the time they had together and enhance their feelings of well-being.
Robust staff recruitment processes were in place which ensured that only staff who met the service’s high specifications regarding experience and qualifications, character and caring abilities were employed. This included the recruitment of volunteers.
The management of medicines was safe. We noted some areas for improvement which the management team agreed to implement following the inspection process.
People told us the food was good and that they had access to snacks and drinks whenever they wanted them. Care plans showed that a nutritious diet was encouraged.
The service worked closely with other professionals and agencies to ensure people’s holistic needs were fully met.
There was clear evidence of close and effective partnership working between families, carers, and between the service and external professionals.
Regular checks were made regarding the safety of the building and equipment. Staff were given training in safe working practices and provided with any necessary personal protective equipment. During a tour of the building we noted it was clean, hygienic and in a good state of repair.