This was a focused inspection relating to issues identified at a previous inspection.
We issued a warning notice following a comprehensive inspection in July 2016 relating to two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. Breaches were for regulation 12 (safe care and treatment) and regulation 15 (premises and environment).
At this inspection, we assessed whether the service provider had put right issues identified in the warning notice. We found improvements in terms of safe care and treatment and that the provider had met the requirements of the warning notice. We found improvements in terms of premises and the environment, but there were still areas that the provider had not addressed, so we have issued a requirement notice for a breach of regulation 15 (premises and environment).
We found the following issues that the service provider needs to improve:
• Cleaning and maintenance of the showers had not thoroughly addressed the problems, and there remained dirt, ingrained mould, and decaying sealant.
• Dry foods, such as cereals, were not stored in sealed containers.
• The appliances in the kitchenette in the dining and group room were in need of cleaning or repair.
• There were no hand towel or toilet roll dispensers in some of the toilets, so they were placed on the top of general waste and sanitary product bins.
However, we also found the following areas of good practice:
• The provider had implemented effective food hygiene procedures, which included the safe monitoring, preparation and storage of food.
• The provider had implemented cleaning schedules and guidance, and the provision of employed cleaning staff to work alongside clients.
• First aid boxes were new, and their contents complete and in date.
• Action had been taken to address an ongoing damp problem in the building, and the area affected was not accessible to clients.
• The provider had an ongoing programme of work, which had started at Unity House’s sister service. This included the replacement or refurbishment of all the showers and bathrooms. New chairs were on order for the dining and group room, to replace the existing chairs which were dirty and stained.
• The provider had implemented colour-coded mops, to reduce the risk of cross contamination.