- Care home
St Antony's Care Home
Report from 2 September 2024 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
St Antony's is a care home offering personal care and accommodation for up to 12 residents, primarily older adults, most of whom live with dementia and some with mental health needs. At the time of our assessment, the home was at full capacity. The service was rated 'Good' overall in its last inspection (published 27 January 2018). We conducted this unannounced assessment on 4 September 2024, led by an inspector and an assessor. We reviewed all eight quality statements under the key question, "Is the service Safe." and one statement each under "Is the service Caring." and "Is the service Responsive." The assessment was triggered by our review of the service’s information, noting that it had not been inspected for over six years. While no evidence of harm was found, we identified two breaches of regulations. These related to failures in maintaining a safe and well-kept environment and in effectively using governance systems to monitor and improve service quality. Despite these issues, management was already addressing the concerns. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities, and there were sufficient staff to meet people's needs. Pre-employment checks were thorough, ensuring staff were fit for the role. Staff were well-trained and experienced, and the premises were clean with appropriate infection control measures in place. Medicines were managed effectively, and people received their prescribed medicines on time. People were supported to maintain independence and had choice and control over their daily lives, as much as their abilities allowed. Feedback from people using the service was used to improve care, ensuring equality and inclusion.
People's experience of this service
During our assessment we spoke in-person with 6 people about their experiences of living at this care home and 2 visiting external health care professionals. People expressed being generally happy with the care and support provided by the care home. A person said, “This is a lovely place to live. The staff treat us very, very well.” Another person added, “It’s alright here…I have no complaints whatsoever.” In addition, we received email feedback from a relative and 2 external health and social care professional who all expressed being generally happy with the overall standard of care and support their loved one or client received at this care home. An external care professional told us, “Overall I believe that St Antony’s is a well-run care home full of incredibly kind and caring staff. I would be happy for them to care for any member of my family.” People were protected from the risk of abuse and harm. People were risk assessed and their safety and quality of care and support they received was continuously monitored. People lived in a clean home where infection was controlled. People received their prescribed medicines as and when they should. People looked at ease and comfortable in the presence of staff. Staff interaction with people was characterised by warmth and kindness. People received right levels of care and support from sufficient numbers of suitably trained and supported staff whose suitability and fitness to work at the care home had been thoroughly assessed. People were supported to do as much as they could do safely for themselves and maintain their independence.