Palmarium

Updated 5 April 2024

Palmarium is a care home for up to 6 people with learning disabilities and or sensory impairment. At the time of our assessment there were 6 people using the service. Assessment activity started on 11 April 2024 and finished on 6 August 2024. We visited the home on 11, 15 and 18 April 2024. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance Care Quality Commission (CQC ) follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it. Right support, people were kept safe from risks of harm. Guidance was available to staff in people’s personalised risk assessments. There were enough staff providing consistent care and support to people. Right care – people had their own care plans which reflected their care needs. People and relatives told us staff were caring. We observed staff supporting people in a respectful way. Right culture – people and relatives knew who the management team were and told us they would be able to raise concerns if needed. Governance systems were effective in identifying improvements needed.

Updated 5 April 2024

Some relatives told us they did not always feel people were safe in their homes. However, some relatives told us they recognised staff kept people as safe as possible. Comments from relatives included, “There have been some bad incidents, I worry [relative] is not safe”, “[Relative] told me they did not feel listened to or safe” and “They [staff] do their best to keep [relative] safe.” Relatives told us people had the support they needed to attend health appointments. However, improvement was needed on how medicines were managed. One relative told us, “There is confusion on [medicines] records, there could be improvements.” Feedback from some relatives about activities was not positive. Comments included, “Concerns me that [relative] is becoming institutionalised” and “They [staff] don’t take [relative] out enough.” Relatives told us they were able to visit whenever they liked with no restrictions. One relative told us, “Staff are nice and caring, I can go anytime unannounced.” Relatives feedback about the staff was overall positive. Relatives told us most staff had a good knowledge and were well trained. Comments about the staff included “Staff are very good and eager to learn” and “They are lovely staff; they do the best they can.” Relatives told us they knew who the management team, were and felt able to approach them most of the time or make a complaint if necessary. One relative said, “The management are lovely, nice to talk to.”