Archived: Altham Meadows

Updated 12 September 2018

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 23 July 2018 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection visit we contacted the commissioning department at Lancashire county council. In addition, we contacted Healthwatch Lancashire. Healthwatch Lancashire is an independent consumer champion for health and social care. This helped us to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced accessing the service.

At the time of inspection there were 10 people who used the service. We spoke with a range of people about Altham Meadows. They included three people who used the service and eight members of staff, including the deputy manager and area manager.

We closely examined the care records of three people who used the service. This process is called pathway tracking and enables us to judge how well the service understands and plans to meet people's care needs and manage any risks to people's health and wellbeing.

We reviewed a variety of records, including policies and procedures, safety and quality audits, two staff personnel and training files, records of accidents, complaints records, various service certificates and medicine administration records.

We observed care and support in communal areas and had a walk around the home. This enabled us to determine if people received the care and support they needed in an appropriate environment.

This was the first time the service has been inspected since registration in September 2017.

Updated 12 September 2018

Altham Meadows is registered to provide 24-hour care for up to 22 people. The home is a single level, purpose built premises in Morecambe, close to local amenities. Bedrooms have en-suite facilities. At the time of our inspection, 10 people were staying at the home. The service is a step-down or intermediate care facility. The aim of the service is to reduce pressures on hospitals by providing care and rehabilitation support for people who are well enough to leave hospital, but are not yet well enough to return home.

Altham Meadows is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had 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.

This inspection took place on 23 July 2018 and was unannounced. This was the first time the service had been inspected since registration in September 2017.

The provider had systems to safeguard people against abuse or improper treatment. Staff had received training to spot abusive or inappropriate practices and knew how to report them. The service followed a robust recruitment process to ensure only suitable candidates were employed.

The service ensured a sufficient number of staff were deployed at all times. Staff retention had improved and more staff were available to cover shifts at short notice, if required. The registered manager reviewed staffing levels against people’s needs to ensure there were always enough staff.

Staff assessed risks to the health and well-being of people who used the service and plans were put in place to lessen these risks. Environmental risk, for example around fire safety, had been assessed and appropriate plans put in place to lessen risks. The service promoted positive risk taking in order to help people maintain as much independence as possible.

The service followed best practice guidance in relation to the management of medicines. Regular checks were undertaken to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. People were able to manage their medicines themselves if they wished.

Staff had received training to reduce the risks related to the spread of infection. We observed staff follow good practice guidance whilst undertaking their duties. The home was clean and tidy during our inspection.

The provider had systems which recorded any adverse incidents or events. We saw analysis of accidents and incidents was undertaken in order to make positive changes to reduce the risk of recurrence.

People’s needs and choices were assessed and care and treatment provided in line with current legislation and guidance in order to achieve effective outcomes for people who were staying at the home.

The service ensured staff had the skills, knowledge and a good level of support in order to meet people’s needs effectively. Staff received a thorough induction when they began working at the home, alongside additional training and regular supervision form senior staff.

People’s nutritional needs had been assessed and care planned in order to meet them. People’s specific dietary needs were monitored and catered for appropriately.

The service followed good practice guidance in relation to obtaining consent from people. Where people lacked capacity to consent, the service followed best interests processes, as outlined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 code of practice. 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.

We received consistently positive feedback about how caring the service was, including staff and management. People were able to make their own choices and express their views. People who used the service and staff were actively involved in shaping the service delivered.

The service ensured the care and support delivered to people was personalised and responsive to their needs by way of ongoing assessment and care planning. People confirmed they were involved in this process.

A variety of activities were organised and took place at the home. People we spoke with were particularly fond of the exercise classes. Facilities were available for staff to support people with rehabilitation including daily living skills such as cooking.

The provider had a complaints policy. People we spoke with confirmed they would have no hesitation in making a complaint and felt any concerns would be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

The provider had systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality of the service provided to people.

The service used a variety of methods to gain people’s views and experiences of using the service. These included ongoing informal conversations, as well as meetings and satisfaction surveys.