Archived: Delph House Care Home

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service caring?

People's needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered to meet people's needs. We spoke with two people and one person's relative. One person told us, 'They are always jolly which lifts my spirits.' Another person said, 'Everything has fallen into place, I'm happy here.' A person's relative commented, 'Mum is well looked after.'

People were given the opportunity to be involved with activities. One person's relative told us, 'The activity lady is very good, she keeps mum smiling.' One person said, 'I get company, they are in and out all day.' Another person commented, 'It's a very good atmosphere. I'm quite happy here.' We found that a record of activities was completed for each person and detailed a variety of activities including quizzes and one to one chats. We saw that activities were offered, for example, during the afternoon a musician was entertaining people in one of the lounges.

Is the service responsive?

People could access healthcare professionals when they required. One person told us, 'I can see the doctor when I need to. They came and saw me a couple of days ago.' Another person said, 'If I wanted to see the doctor I'm sure they would get one for me.' A person's relative commented, 'The doctor comes in on Tuesday. Whenever I mention anything they look into it.' We spoke with a visiting healthcare professional who told us that they received appropriate referrals and were alerted to any changes in people's condition. Records of visits from healthcare professionals were kept. For example, we found that visits from chiropodists, speech and language therapist's and GPs were documented.

People's needs were met promptly. One person told us, 'They are pretty quick when I press my bell. The majority of the staff know what they are doing. Most of the staff are regular and know my routine. I sometimes have to remind the newer ones.' Another person said, 'I am never left waiting too long if I press my bell.' A visiting healthcare professional told us that equipment was obtained by the home promptly when they had recommended it. We spoke with three care staff who were aware of people's needs and how to care and support people.

Is the service safe?

The home was clean and smelt fresh. One person told us, 'I think it is spotless. The people who clean the place are in every day.' Another person said, 'The place is clean.' A person's relative commented, 'The home is always fresh and clean.'

The provider had made arrangements for the maintenance of the home. The home employed a maintenance person who was responsible for the upkeep of the building. One person told us, 'There is a problem with the doors banging. The maintenance bloke came and did something to the doors along the corridor which made it better.' Another person said, 'The chap who works here put my television on the wall for me. He does anything that makes it easier for you.' A person's relative commented, 'The building is very nice and well maintained.'

People were supported by staff who were able to perform their role. One person said, 'All the nurses and carers are wonderful. They are full of banter which makes the time pass.' Another person said, 'The girls are good.' A person's relative commented, 'The employees are lovely.' Appropriate checks were conducted before staff started work.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) which apply to care homes. No applications had been submitted. The registered manager told us they were in the process of reviewing a recent Supreme Court judgement in respect of DOLS and the impact this may have on the service.

Is the service effective?

People's needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered to meet people's needs. One person told us, 'They are always jolly which lifts my spirits.' Another person said, 'Everything has fallen into place, I'm happy here.' A person's relative commented, 'Mum is well looked after.'

Is the service well led?

The provider undertook a variety of quality monitoring activities. For example, audits of infection prevention and control practices, audits of individual care plans, daily checks of people in bed and fluid chart checks. We found that changes were made as a result of quality monitoring activity. For example, an infection control audit had identified the need for sharps boxes to be placed where needles were used. We saw that this had been achieved.

We spoke to the manager about their recruitments procedures and examined six recruitment records.

We did not speak to people using the service at this inspection.

We found that appropriate checks had not been undertaken prior to staff commencing employment.

One individual we spoke with told us they felt, 'Perfectly safe' living at Delph House.

We completed this inspection to follow up on serious issues related to the safeguarding of people who lived at Delph House identified at the last inspection which was completed during July 2013.

At this inspection we found that people who use the service were protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

Comments from people included, 'They're good', 'Very good'. People we spoke with were confident staff were skilled.

A relative told us their family member was, 'Well cared for', and another relative said they were, Very happy' with the support their family member received.

We completed this unannounced inspection to follow up on serious issues identified at the last inspection completed on 26 July 2013. These issues related to the care and welfare of people who lived at Delph House and the numbers of staff on duty.

At the last inspection we found shortfalls in the safe management of medicines and record keeping. We also found that the provider had not informed the Care Quality Commission of serious incidents of harm or neglect.

At this inspection we found care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare.

People were not protected from the risk of infection because appropriate guidance had not been followed.

Medicines were handled appropriately.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

The provider did not have an effective system to identify, assess and manage risks to the health, safety and welfare of people using the service.

Records were kept securely and could be located promptly when needed.

During the inspection we pathway tracked four people. This involved observing people's experience within the home, reviewing their records and talking to staff involved in their care. We spoke with the manager and five care staff. We talked with six people using the service, one relative and a visiting health care professional. This was so we could evaluate how people's care needs were assessed, planned and delivered.

People's needs were assessed and care was planned, however we found care was not delivered in a way that ensured people's health, safety and wellbeing.

People who used the service were not protected from the risk of abuse because the provider had not taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

Delph House was not protecting people against the risks associated with the unsafe management of medicines.

People's health, safety and welfare were not safeguarded because there were insufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff on duty.

Incidents that affected the health, wellbeing or safety of people who lived at Delph House were not correctly reported to the Care Quality Commission.

People were not protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were not maintained.

Observations we made during the day found residents responded positively with staff members. We saw people liked to move around the home, use their rooms and other communal areas. There were no restrictions and staff were seen to encourage people to make choices about what they wanted to do.

Residents and relatives told us they could express their views and were involved in decision making about their care. They told us they felt listened to when discussing their care needs. One person living at the home said, 'The staff are so kind and polite to everyone.' One relative we spoke with told us, 'We were so impressed by the caring attitude of the staff.'

Residents we spoke with were happy with the daily routines and the number of staff around when they required some assistance. Comments included, 'If I press the buzzer I never have to wait long for someone to come. ' Also, 'They never seem rushed and always have time to spend and chat with you.' One relative said, 'The staffing levels seem good here compared to some homes I know.'

We contacted the local social services contracts monitoring team. They told us they currently had no concerns with the service.