Background to this inspection
Updated
5 June 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
The inspection was carried out by one adult social care 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 service.
Service and service type: Erith House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreements regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The care home accommodates up to 20 people. At the time of the inspection 20 people were living at the home. One person was away at the time of the 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:
The inspection was unannounced. The inspection took place on the 14 and 15 May 2019.
What we did:
Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service such as provider notifications. A notification is information about important events such as incidents, which the provider is required by law to send us. We reviewed the information we require providers to send us at least annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection we met the19 people currently living at the service. We spoke with 12 people about the home and the care they received.
Reviewed six people’s care records, which included care plans, risk assessments and medicines records.
Reviewed records of accidents and incidents.
Reviewed three staff files, which included recruitment checks, induction and training records.
Reviewed records relating to the running of the service, including policies and procedures and quality monitoring audits.
We observed the interactions between people and staff as care and support was being delivered.
We spoke with the registered manager and six members of the care team. We also met and spoke with three relatives, a friend and a district nurse.
Following the inspection, we received feedback from the Local Authority, speech and language service and older person’s mental health services.
Updated
5 June 2019
About the service: Erith House is a residential care home providing care and accommodation to a maximum of 20 people. People living at the home were older people, who may be living with dementia. At the time of the inspection 20 people were living at the home. However, one person was away at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service:
People using the service benefitted from a kind, caring and committed staff team. People and their relatives told us they were treated with kindness, compassion and respect.
We observed positive and compassionate interactions between staff and the people they supported. People were able to be as independent as they wanted and were also provided with prompt, sensitive support when needed.
People were placed at the heart of the service and were as far as possible involved in decisions about their care and lifestyle. People and their relatives told us they were listened to and their care was provided in a way they wanted and preferred.
People’s care was delivered safely and people said they felt safe living at Erith House. The staff team was consistent, employed in sufficient numbers and had the skills and training to understand and meet people’s needs safely and effectively.
People’s risks were understood and managed well. People’s rights and independence were respected and promoted. Management and staff understood their role with regards to the Mental Capacity Act (2005). People’s consent was sought before care and support was provided. When people were unable to consent, and make decisions for themselves appropriate processes were followed. People were protected from discrimination and abuse and staff understood how to safeguard people.
People lived in a home that was well maintained, comfortable and designed to meet their needs. Consideration had been given to supporting people to occupy their time and maintain relationships with family and friends. Relatives were made to feel welcome and were kept informed about issues relating to their loved one’s care.
People lived in a service, which had a positive culture and was led by committed and enthusiastic staff and management. Management and staff had good relationships with health and social care professionals and liaised with these services to help ensure people’s full range of care needs were met.
The provider’s values were available for people to see and included, “We seek to deliver services of the highest possible quality and constantly improve through listening, reflecting, learning and action”. We found the culture and atmosphere of the home warm, welcoming and inclusive. Staff were valued for their contribution and their ideas and were listened to and respected.
Systems had been developed to ensure performance remained good and continued to improve.
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated as Good. The last report was published in November 2016.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection. The service remained Good.
Follow up: We have made a recommendation in relation to the environment and the needs of people living with dementia. We will continue to monitor this service to ensure people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk