Eliza House

Updated 11 October 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and 1 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 care service. On this inspection the Expert by Experience spoke with people and visitors for their feedback on the care, and carried out observations.

Service and service type

Eliza House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Eliza House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 8 people living at the service and 2 visiting family members. We observed interactions between people and staff, including activity sessions. We walked around the premises while looking at aspects of health and safety and infection control.

We spoke with 6 staff members, including 2 senior care workers, 1 care worker, an activities coordinator, the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with 2 visiting healthcare professionals during our inspection.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people's care records and medicines records for 12 people. We looked at 5 staff files in relation to safer recruitment. A variety of records relating to staffing and the management of the service, including quality assurance, staff training, accidents and incidents, policies and procedures, health and safety, and meeting minutes were also reviewed.

Updated 11 October 2023

About the service

Eliza House is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 26 people. The service provides support to older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 24 people using the service.

The service accommodates people in 1 adapted building across 2 floors, accessible by a lift. Residents had access to ensuite toilet facilities and shared bathrooms. The service comprises communal lounges, a dining area and 2 courtyards.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

For the most part, people received their medicines safely and as prescribed. However, we found shortfalls in the management of medicines for 3 people.

While there were enough staff to meet people’s needs, there were times when staff felt under pressure and did not have enough time to interact with people appropriately. The provider carried out checks to make sure staff were recruited safely.

Staff were trained in safeguarding and knew how to protect people from abuse. Risks to people were assessed and safely managed. Staff adhered to infection control measures to keep people safe from risks of infections.

People received person-centred care by a team of staff who knew theirs needs and preferences well. Staff supported and encouraged people to take part in various activities to keep them socially engaged. People and their relatives knew how to make their concerns known to the management.

Managers worked with people, their relatives, professionals and staff to provide a good service. Managers completed regular audits to monitor and improve the quality of service. During the inspection, we observed renovation works being carried out in the service to improve its overall state and appearance.

People spoke positively of the staff team and were pleased with the care and support they received.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 18 May 2022).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to staffing and recruitment, activities for people, and the suitability of the physical environment of the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, responsive and well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has remained good based on the findings of this inspection. However, we have found evidence that the provider needs to make some improvements. Please see the safe section of this full report.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Eliza House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Recommendations

We made recommendations about managing people’s medicines and staffing.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.