5 January 2016
During a routine inspection
Gittisham Hill House is registered to provide accommodation for a maximum of 39 people who require nursing and personal care. The home is situated near Honiton, Devon. The service specialises in the care of older people, most of whom are living with dementia. When we visited 36 people lived at the home, 19 of whom were receiving nursing care.
The service has a registered manager. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People who used the service, relatives and health and social care professionals were impressed with the service and how people were treated. One relative said, “We are extremely satisfied with the care, she is looked after really well.” A health professional said, “A very nice place with nice people.”
People received effective care, based on best practice, from staff that had the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their role. Health and social care professionals consistently gave us positive feedback about the kindness, care and support provided for people. A visiting professional said, “The residents provided with a safe environment and their care is effective.”
People gave us very positive feedback about the food choices at the home. One person said, “We are well looked after with food.” People were supported with nutrition and hydration, although improvements were needed in adding up fluid records of what people at increased risk of dehydration had drunk each day.
The environment of care was adapted to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities and those living with dementia. The buildings have been significantly improved and refurbished with further improvements planned. The home had lots of areas of interest for people to sit, enjoy and spend time in. Some people who were restless were freely able to access all communal areas on the ground floor and go upstairs whenever they wished.
There was a calm and relaxed atmosphere in the home on both days we visited. The ethos of the service was that it was people’s home and staff respected people’s individual choices. Staff interacted in a kind and respectful way with people. For example, when a person became upset, staff noticed immediately and intervened to reassure them. Staff were friendly and cheerful and they knew each person well, what they liked to be called, their preferred routines; and their social and family history.
Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Where people lacked capacity, relatives and health and social care professionals were consulted and involved in decision making about people in their 'best interest’.
People said they felt safe living at the home. Staff were aware of signs of abuse and knew how to report concerns, any concerns reported were investigated. A robust recruitment process was in place to make sure people were cared for by suitable staff. People knew how to raise concerns and were confident any concerns would be listened and responded to.
The service was well led. People, relatives and staff said the home was organised and well run. The culture of the home was open and friendly. Staff said they worked well as a team and felt supported and valued for their work. Senior staff acted as role models to support staff to achieve high standards of care.
The provider had a range of internal and external quality monitoring systems in place, which were well established. There was evidence of making continuous
improvements in response to people’s feedback, the findings of audits, and of learning lessons following accidents and incidents.