15 June 2022
During a routine inspection
People's experience of this service and what we found
The provider did not have established, robust processes in place to ensure people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.
Systems to monitor the running of the service were not always effective in ensuring improvements were embedded into staff working practices and sustained. The service had experienced a significant turnover in staff and management and remained without a registered manager.
People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs. Staff were safely recruited and inducted into the service. Staff were aware of the risks people faced and the actions they needed to take to keep people safe. People were protected from the risk of infections.
Staff undertook training to meet the diverse needs of people living at the service. People were supported to maintain their health and well-being. 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. We have made a recommendation to ensure the provider follows best practice in undertaking mental capacity assessments.
The provider was in the process of reviewing and developing care plans. People were supported to socialise, interact and maintain links with family and friends, where they wished to, to reduce the risk of social isolation.
People were happy living at Connaught House and enjoyed the support and interactions with staff and each other as part of a community. Staff spoke of increased morale and felt positive about the future development of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 7 October 2021).
The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found the provider remained in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service. We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.
Enforcement
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 identified breaches in relation to the safe management and administration of people's medicines and leadership and governance of the service at this inspection. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
Follow up
We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good. We will work with the local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.