17 June 2014
During a routine inspection
' Is the service safe?
' Is the service caring?
' Is the service responsive?
' Is the service effective?
' Is the service well led?
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on the people we spoke with who used the service, the staff who supported them and from looking at records.
At the time of our inspection 35 people lived at Orchard House. We spoke with seven people who lived in the home. We spoke with one district nurse and a healthcare assistant. We spoke with four members of staff and three people who worked in management.
Is the service safe?
People told us they felt safe with the staff that cared for them. Staff did not always understand what different types of abuse was. The staff that worked in a managerial role did not recognise all the types of abuse and failed to report incidents to the correct authorities.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards which applies to care homes. The provider had policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards applications had been submitted inline with the providers policies and procedures. This meant that people would be safeguarded as required.
Is the service effective?
Staff we spoke with had a good understanding of the people's current care and support needs. However it was clear that staff did not know people's care history and this reflected in the care and support they received.
We found that the provider did not have systems in place to improve the service by learning from incidents or events.
We found the provider did not have an effective system in place to protect people from the risk of infection.
Is the service caring?
We asked people for their opinions about the staff that supported them. What people told us was positive, one person said, 'I can't grumble'. Another person told us, 'The food is lovely, really the best, always really very very good'.
People told us they were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. When we spoke with staff it was clear that they genuinely cared for the people they supported.
We found that some staff were focused on task based jobs and did not always respond to people's needs when they were required.
Is the service responsive?
Staff told us that the manager provided them with up-to date information. Staff told us they knew who they were providing care for.
Is the service well-led?
Staff told us the managers listened to them. Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities.
The deputy manager told us that they had sent questionnaires to relatives and to people who used the service. This meant that the provider had taken appropriate steps to gather people's views of the running the home.