2 April 2014
During a routine inspection
We considered all the evidence we had gathered and used our inspection findings to answer the five questions we always ask;
• Is the service safe?
• Is the service effective?
• Is the service caring?
• Is the service responsive?
• Is the service well-led?
Below is a summary of what we found.
If you want to see the evidence supporting the summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
Systems were in place to ensure people received their medication in a timely manner. One person told us, “They are good at bringing my medication on time.”
We spent time observing care and saw care staff treated people with kindness and respect. People told us they liked living at the home. People told us there were enough staff to meet their needs. One person said, “There is always plenty of staff around.” They added, “The staff are very obliging.” During our visit we heard call bells ringing but they were always answered within a reasonable timeframe.
The home had proper policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act( 2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards although no applications had needed to be submitted
Is the service effective?
Records showed people’s health needs were assessed when they moved into the service and at regular intervals while they remained there. Specialist dietary, mobility and skin care needs had been identified in the care plans when required.
We saw the provider worked in partnership with health care providers and involved them in people’s care when appropriate.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by kind, attentive care workers. We observed care in the upstairs lounge and saw care workers speaking to people in a soft voice and ensuring they had plenty to drink.
People’s preferences had been recorded. We looked at the recording around sleep patterns and getting up times and could see they fully described the care people liked to receive. We arrived early in the morning and could see only those people who liked to get up early had been supported to get washed and dressed.
Is the service responsive?
People told us they enjoyed the activities provided for them. One person told us, ““The activities co-ordinator makes it better. We do exercises and they sing. At present we are making pompoms and we also have bingo.”
We saw that where care workers identified concerns with people’s care they requested support from other health care professionals. A community nurse who was at the home during our inspection told us care workers always followed any instructions they left regarding people’s care.
Records showed the provider held regular meetings with people living at the home and their relatives. This allowed people to raise any concerns they had about their care. We saw staff meetings were also held to allow staff to raise concerns and to update them on the running of the home.
Is the service well-led?
The service worked in partnership with other organisations including the local authority and safeguarding teams to support care provision.
Records showed the manager ensured appropriate health and safety checks were completed on the premises.
The service had a quality assurance system which reviewed incidents, accidents, safeguarding and complaints on a monthly basis.