Spencer House

Updated 18 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 one inspector.

Service and service type

Spencer 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. Spencer House is a care home without nursing care. The Care Quality Commission (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 CQC 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 it registered with CQC. 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 all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people living at Spencer House and four people’s relatives about their experience of the care and support provided. We spoke with five staff, the administrator, the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care plans and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 18 August 2022

About the service

Spencer House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to 25 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 21 people using the service.

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

Risks to people’s health had not always been consistently assessed, monitored and reduced. The registered manager addressed this shortfall during the inspection.

Some people, who were living at Spencer House for a short while, did not have care plans to support consistent care. Staff followed a list of daily tasks on an electronic handheld device to provide support. Risks, when they had been identified, were noted on the application. Staff knew how people preferred to be supported.

Audits and checks by the management team had not identified the shortfalls found during the inspection. Action was taken straight away to address these.

Some areas of the service needed repair and redecoration. There were plans in place to refurbish the service with the involvement of the people living there.

People received their medicines as prescribed. These were stored and disposed of safely.

People and their relatives told us there were enough staff and they were not rushed. The service was actively recruiting staff. Staff were recruited safely and completed training. Plans were in place to update staff training as the registered manager confirmed some staff were two or three months behind with this.

People told us they enjoyed the meals served at the service. People were encouraged to eat healthily and drink plenty.

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 and their relatives told us staff were kind, compassionate and caring. They spoke positively about the management of the service and felt they were listened to. People’s privacy and dignity were respected, and their independence was encouraged.

People were supported to maintain relationships to avoid social isolation. Staff provided meaningful activities which people told us they enjoyed. The atmosphere was relaxed, and people enjoyed the company of each other and staff. Throughout the inspection people and their relatives chatted and laughed with the staff.

People and their relatives had no complaints about Spencer House and felt confident to raise any worries with management or staff.

Staff worked closely with health care professionals to make sure people received the care and support they needed.

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 5 May 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was completed as part of our inspection programme.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the Safe, Effective and Well-Led sections of this full report.

Enforcement and Recommendations

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 a breach in relation to good governance.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

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.