Anita Dorfman House

Updated 10 August 2022

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by three inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Anita Dorfman House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Anita Dorfman House is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to plan this inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 10 people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager and 11 staff including registered nurses and care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at six staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management and running of the service, including incidents and accidents, audits, building maintenance and fire safety. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

Updated 10 August 2022

About the service

Anita Dorfman House (ADH) is a nursing home providing accommodation and nursing care for older people some of whom live with dementia. The service is registered to provide care and support for up to 80 people. At the time of our inspection there were 80 people using the service. Care and support is accommodated on three floors, each of which has separate facilities. People who used the service come mainly from Jewish background.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We found that the management of medicines required some attention. For example, recorded stock levels for some medicines prescribed when required (PRN) did not reflect actual stock levels. Guidance provided to administer PRN medicines did not contain the signature from the GP to agree the correct guidance was followed and medicines were not stored in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.

There was a friendly, calm and welcoming atmosphere at Anita Dorfman House. Staff knew people and their health care needs well. Potential risks to people's health and welfare had been assessed and regularly reviewed. People told us they felt safe living at Anita Dorfman House and told us the staff supported and cared for them well. Staff spoke knowledgably about the system for reporting any potential signs of abuse. The service had an ongoing programme of staff recruitment. At the time of the inspection the service had adequate levels of staff to ensure people were cared for safely. The service was compliant with guidance and safe processes relating to COVID-19. Infection control procedures were managed well within the service and staff had received training.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the home and felt well supported. Staff received appropriate training and completed regular supervision sessions. People told us they enjoyed their meals, one person told us, "The food here is of good standard, I can choose what I want and there is plenty of it available, you won’t go hungry.” People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were cared for safely whilst maintaining and promoting their independence and wellbeing. People told us they enjoyed living at Anita Dorfman House, that staff were kind, caring and patient. One person said, "All carers and the nurses are wonderful, I’m happy here." Staff supported people with dignity and respect and spoke knowledgably about ensuring people maintained their independence.

People received person centred care which suited their individual health needs and reflected their wishes and choices. There was an activities member of staff who provided people with a range of activities to keep them active and involved if they wished. Some people told us they preferred not to take part and their wishes were respected. Staff supported people to communicate in ways they preferred. People were included and involved in decisions about their care, support and day to day lives. The provider had a clear complaints policy and information explaining how to complain was on display. People knew how to complain and felt they would be listened to, although they told us they had not yet had to complain.

Overall, with the exception of the concerns we found about safe medicines procedures, there was an effective governance system in place. There were a variety of action plans, audits, policies, spot checks, systems and procedures to monitor the quality and safety of the service. These ensured a culture of continuous improvement and learning took place and highlighted any potential shortfalls to improve the safety and quality of care people received. People, relatives and staff felt the service was well led. Staff spoke positively regarding the registered manager and management team and were committed and motivated to delivering quality person-centred care to people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating –

This service was registered with us on 2 May 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection because the service was unrated and had not been inspected since being registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Recommendation

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have made a recommendation in regard to the quality assurance monitoring system of medicines.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.