Archived: White Gables Residential Care Home

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, and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service. 

The inspection was unannounced, which meant the provider and staff did not know that we were coming. At the last inspection in 5 June 2013 the provider met all the requirements we looked at.

White Gables Residential Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 37 older people who may have care needs associated with dementia. All bedrooms are for single occupancy and 36 have an en-suite facility. At the time of our inspection there were 36 people using the service.

A registered manager was in post at White Gables Residential Care Home.  A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law as does the provider. We received positive feedback from people who used the service, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals.

People who used the service told us they were treated with kindness, compassion and respect by the staff and were happy with the care they received.

Staff knew how to recognise and respond to abuse correctly. People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening. Any risks associated with people’s care needs were assessed and plans were in place to minimise the risk as far as possible to keep people safe.

CQC monitors the operation of the Mental Capacity Act [MCA] 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards [DoLS], and to report on what we find. DoLS are a code of practice to supplement the main Mental Capacity Act 2005. These safeguards protect the rights of adults by ensuring that if there are restrictions on their freedom and liberty these are assessed by appropriately trained professionals.

We found the service was meeting the requirements of the DoLS. The registered manager had a full and up to date knowledge of the MCA 2005 and DoLS legislation, and when these applied. Documentation in people’s care plans showed that when decisions had been made about a person’s care, where they lacked capacity, these had been made in the person’s best interests. This meant that people who could not make decisions for themselves were protected.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably skilled staff to meet people’s care needs. In line with the provider’s policy and procedures newly employed staff received an induction and training. Staff told us they were supported in their role. Records seen confirmed that staff received ongoing training, regular supervision, an annual appraisal and opportunities for professional development.   

People were supported to be able to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their needs. People told us they liked the food and were provided with a variety of meals including both hot and cold options. We observed that people were encouraged to be as independent as possible but where additional support was needed this was provided in a caring, respectful manner

We looked at people's care records. The records seen showed that care and treatment was planned and assessed to provide safe and appropriate care in accordance with people’s wishes. Information in the records was regularly updated and provided clear guidance to staff on how to meet people’s individual needs, promote their independence and maintain their health and well-being.  People attended appointments with other healthcare professionals such as opticians, physiotherapists, dentists and chiropodists. This showed that people were supported to maintain their health and well-being.

People were complimentary about the care they received and told us how the staff went out of their way for them. Throughout the inspection we observed staff interacting with people in a caring, respectful and compassionate manner. Where people were not always able to express their needs verbally we saw that staff were skilled at responding to people’s non-verbal requests promptly and were attentive to their needs. We found that staff had an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the people they cared for.

People told us that they felt confident and able to raise issues. Records seen showed people’s comments, concerns, compliments and complaints were responded to in line with the provider’s complaints procedure. People were listened to and any issues raised acted upon.

The management team [provider, registered manager and deputy manager] of the service were well established and provided clear and consistent leadership to the staff.

Robust systems were in place which assessed and monitored the quality of the service, including obtaining the views of people who used the service, their relatives; staff employed at the service and visiting health and social care professionals. Feedback received was acted on and used to drive improvement in the service. Records showed that systems for recording and managing complaints, safeguarding concerns and incidents and accidents were managed well and that management took steps to learn from such events and put measures in place which meant they were less likely to happen again.