12 May 2014
During a routine inspection
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, discussions with people using the service, their relatives, the staff supporting them and looking at records.
If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
We saw that the service was clean and improvements had been made to the maintenance of the building and facilities. These actions meant that people were not placed at unnecessary risk. People that we spoke with told us that they were satisfied with the environment in which they lived. One person told us that it was, 'Marvellous'.
The representative of the provider had reviewed the staffing level in the home and increased the numbers of staff on duty. Staff had received up-to-date training to ensure that they had the necessary skills to meet the needs of people living at Vine House Elderly Peoples Residence. Everyone that we spoke with was complimentary about the staff. They told us that staff came quickly if they needed support. One said, 'There's usually plenty of people around. They're very good, they don't just fly past'.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted the representative of the provider demonstrated knowledge of their responsibilities in respect of this.
Is the service effective?
We found that care plans were detailed and provided up-to-date information about people's care needs. The selection of care plans that we looked at demonstrated that people or their representatives had been consulted and that their personal needs and preferences were reflected. This meant that people were sure that their individual care needs and wishes were known and planned for. One person said, 'It's very good with very good food and very nice staff'.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that staff were patient and gave encouragement when supporting people. We spoke with eight people. They were all satisfied with the care that they received. They told us they were able to do things at their own pace and were not rushed. Our observations confirmed this. One person told us, 'They're very kind. They couldn't be kinder'. Another said, 'I get a bit spoilt here I think'. A relative had written to the home in March 2014 and said, 'Vine House is home from home as much as it can be'.
Is the service responsive?
People told us that they were able to raise suggestions or concerns and that they were regularly consulted about changes in the home. One said, 'X (Representative of the provider) asks us and discusses with us. I'm perfectly contented'. We spoke with four members of staff. They told us that communication was good. One said, 'Communication is a big thing and that has improved'. Another told us, 'There have been a lot of changes. It's been very good, the atmosphere is better'. We found that the service listened and responded to feedback received from people, their representatives and from staff.
Is the service well-led?
Since our last inspection we found that improvements had been made in relation to maintenance of the environment, staffing numbers and staff support. This was also confirmed by people and staff that we spoke with and by examining records. One member of staff said, 'You felt like you were fighting before to be quite honest. They told us, 'There have been a lot of changes for the better'.