We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 31 January 2017. At the last inspection on 2 February 2015, the provider was given an overall rating of Good.The home is registered to provide accommodation and personal care for adults who require nursing care and who may have a dementia related illness. A maximum of 25 people can live at the home. There were 23 people living at home on the day of the inspection.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
People told us that they felt safe in the home and were supported by staff to maintain their safety. All staff told us about how they kept people safe and how they knew what to do if they suspected the risk of abuse. During our inspection staff were available for people and were able to support them by offering guidance or care that reduced people’s risks. People told us they received their medicines as needed and at the correct time. They also said that if they needed extra pain relief or other medicines these were provided.
People told us staff had the knowledge to look after them and staff told us their training supported their role and reflected the needs of people who lived at the home. Nursing staff had clinical supervision which they felt supported and help them in providing care to people who lived at the home.
People told us they enjoyed their meals and we saw where needed people were supported to eat and drink enough to keep them healthy. We found that people’s health care needs were assessed, and care planned and delivered to meet those needs. People had access to other healthcare professionals that provided treatment, advice and guidance to support their health needs.
People told us and we saw that their privacy and dignity were respected and staff were kind to them. People received support to have their choices and decisions respected and staff were considerate of promoting their privacy and dignity.
People had been involved in the planning of their care and relatives felt they were involved in the care of their family member and were asked for their opinions and input. People told us staff offered encouragement and support to attend places of worship or go on day trips.
People and relatives we spoke with told us they were aware of who they would make a complaint to, but were confident to approach the management team if they were not happy with the care. The provider had reviewed and responded to all concerns raised.
The registered manager provided good leadership and management for the staff team. The service and staff demonstrated their commitment to care for people with dignity, to further improve and to follow best practice for the care of people living at the home. The management team linked with care forums and ensured people had access to the local community. The service had a good reputation within the local community and also with health and social care professionals.
The provider had a robust programme of audits in place to monitor the quality and safety of people’s care and support. Action plans were developed where shortfalls or people’s feedback had identified any improvements that could be made. The provider continually strived to make things work better so that people benefitted from a home that met their needs. The provider’s planned improvements were followed up to ensure they were implemented.