Archived: Nightingale House Care Home

Updated 5 February 2019

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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 10 January 2019 and was unannounced.

The inspection team consisted of one 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 care service.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to assist with planning the inspection.

We also reviewed information that we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service the provider is required to tell us about. We considered the last inspection report and information that had been sent to us by other agencies.

During the inspection visit, we spoke with ten people who used the service and a relative. We also spoke with the registered provider, four care staff, the registered manager and the deputy manager. Throughout the inspection we observed how the staff interacted with people who lived in the service.

We looked at three people’s care records and three staff files. We also looked at other records relating to the management of the service. These included policies, audits, and meeting minutes.

Updated 5 February 2019

We inspected the service on 10 January 2019. The inspection was unannounced.

Nightingale House Care Home is a care home without nursing providing accommodation and personal care for up to 21 older people, including people with dementia. The premises are in the form of a large residential home with ordinary domestic facilities. At the time of inspection there were 16 people living in the home.

At our last inspection on 13 June 2016 we rated the service ‘good.’ At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘good’ overall. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were protected from avoidable harm by a staff team trained and confident to recognise and report any concerns. Potential risks to people were assessed and minimised.

Staff were only employed after satisfactory pre-employment checks had been obtained. There were enough staff to ensure people’s needs were met safely and in a timely manner.

The service managed the control and prevention of infection well. Staff followed correct policies and procedures and understood their role and responsibilities for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Medicines were well managed, with staff displaying a sound understanding of the medicines administration systems, recording and auditing systems.

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the key requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were understood by the manager and acted on appropriately.

People at risk of poor nutrition and dehydration were sufficiently monitored and encouraged to eat and drink. The quality of the food was good, with people getting the support they needed and the choice that they liked.

Staff knew the people they cared for well and understood, and met, their needs. People received care from staff who were trained and well supported to meet people’s assessed needs. Staff had the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.

People were assisted to have access to external healthcare services to help maintain their health and well-being. Staff worked within and across organisations to deliver effective care and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were fully involved in making decisions about their care and support. People and their relatives were involved in the setting up and review of their or their family member’s individual support and care plans.

Staff treated people in a kind and friendly way. Staff respected and promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence. People’s individual needs were assessed and staff used this information to deliver personalised care that met people’s needs. People’s religious and cultural beliefs were respected and supported.

Staff supported people to have the most comfortable, dignified, and pain-free a death as possible. Staff worked in partnership with other professionals to ensure that people received appropriate care.

People’s suggestions and complaints were listened to, investigated, and acted upon to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Staff liked working for the service. They were clear about their role to provide people with a high-quality service and uphold the service’s values.

The registered manager sought feedback about the quality of the service provided from people. Audits and quality monitoring checks were carried out to help drive forward improvements.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.