St. John's Home

Updated 13 January 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 Care Act 2014.

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 one inspector 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

St. John's Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection-

We talked to three people using the service and two people’s relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff and the registered manager. 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.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at employment history of two staff members.

Updated 13 January 2022

About the service

St. John’s Home is registered to provide accommodation for up to 38 older people who require personal care. At the time of the inspection there were 37 people living at the service.

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

Risks associated with people's individual care needs, the premises and the equipment in use were assessed and managed. The provider employed enough staff to safely meet people's care needs. Systems and procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

People had their needs assessed prior to receiving care to ensure staff were able to provide relevant care. Staff co-operated with various local social and health care professionals. We saw that referrals for specialist advice were submitted in a timely manner.

People received care and treatment from competent and skilled staff who had the relevant knowledge to meet people's needs. The provider had a system to ensure all staff had regular training to keep them up to date with best practice. Training courses and events were relevant to the needs of the people living at the service and staff ensured they put learning into practice.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff provided them with care in the least restrictive way possible and acted in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service promoted this practice.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect and maintained their privacy. They were kind and caring, and knew people well. Care records contained clear information covering all aspects of people's individualised care and support. Information about people was written in a respectful and personalised way.

There was a complaints process in place which was managed effectively. The provider had procedures in place to identify and address people's wishes and choices regarding end-of-life care.

People, their relatives and staff were complimentary about the management of the service. The registered manager promoted a positive, transparent and open culture where staff worked well as a team. The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place which were used to drive improvement.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 21/11/2019 and it was its first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 8 May 2018.

Why we inspected

This was the first inspection of the service. 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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information, we may inspect sooner.