17 August 2015
During a routine inspection
Knowle Hill is purpose built and registered to provide accommodation and personal care for up to 40 older people. Accommodation is provided over 4 floors. One floor of the home is dedicated to providing support for up to 12 people living with dementia. All of the bedrooms are single. Each floor has a communal lounge and dining room. A passenger lift is available and all areas of the home are accessible. The home has an enclosed garden and a small car park.
There was a manager at the service who was registered with CQC. 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.
Our last inspection at Knowle Hill took place on 30 September 2013. The home was found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations we inspected at that time.
This inspection took place on 17 August 2015 and was unannounced. This meant the people who lived at Knowle Hill and the staff who worked there did not know we were coming. On the day of our inspection there were 37 people living at Knowle Hill.
The registered manager was not present during our inspection visit and the deputy manager was in charge of the home.
People spoken with were positive about their experience of living at Knowle Hill. They told us they felt safe and staff were “kind”. They told us they could talk to staff and if they had any worries or concerns they would be listened to.
Relatives spoken with had no concerns regarding their loved ones care. They told us staff always kept them up to date with any news and they were always made to feel welcome at Knowle Hill.
Healthcare professionals spoken with also made positive comments. One healthcare professional told us, “Knowle Hill is one of the best. I recommend it.”
We found systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely.
Staff recruitment procedures were thorough and ensured people’s safety was promoted.
Staff were provided with relevant induction and training to make sure they had the right skills and knowledge for their role. Staff understood their role and what was expected of them. They were happy in their work, motivated and confident in the way the service was managed. The service followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Code of practice and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). This helped to protect the rights of people who may not be able to make important decisions themselves.
People had access to a range of health care professionals to help maintain their health. A varied and nutritious diet was provided to people that took into account dietary needs and preferences so their health was promoted and choices could be respected.
People living at the home, and their relatives said they could speak with staff if they had any worries or concerns and they would be listened to.
We saw people participated in a range of daily activities both in and outside of the home which were meaningful and promoted independence.
There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. Regular checks and audits were undertaken to make sure full and safe procedures were adhered to. People using the service and their relatives had been asked their opinion via surveys, the results of these had been audited to identify any areas for improvement.