31 October 2013
During a routine inspection
We looked at the fire safety risk assessment actions and other relevant service checks and found work had been completed. We saw that the premises were safe for people who used the service.
We looked at the fire safety risk assessment actions and other relevant service checks and found work had been completed. We saw that the premises were safe for people who used the service.
We reviewed four care records that detailed how staff would support individual's needs. Most care records showed clear assessments of people's needs. However one person's record showed that their health and safety assessments had not been completed. This meant the person may be receiving care that was not appropriate to their needs. We spoke with two health care professionals who told us that when they visited the home they found good clear records of people's care, which were up to date with their current needs.
We spoke with three members of the care team who all showed a good understanding of people's needs and how to care for them. We looked at three recruitment files to check that staff had been recruited safely. These showed thorough checks had taken place with the exception of one person who had not had a reference taken. This meant the manager had not followed their own policy when employing staff.
We found the provider had carried out checks on the premises. However, when recommendations had been made they had not always been carried out promptly to ensure the premises were safe. The provider had systems to monitor the quality of service provided. However, these were not always regularly carried out, which meant that improvements needed may not be identified quickly.
The people we spoke to all told us about aspects of the home they liked and enjoyed. One relative told us "I feel safe in the knowledge (person) can get help when it's needed". People told us the home was "very good" and staff were "caring and helpful". We saw staff delivering care to people as outlined in their individual care plans.
We observed staff seeking people's consent before they carried out any tasks with them. One person told us "they keep me informed of what they're doing". Where people lacked capacity the provider acted in accordance with legal requirements.
People we spoke to told us about the different medicines they took and told us they "always get them on time". Medicines were stored and administered safely.
People were positive about their relationships with staff. One person told us "staff are very good, they like to have a bit of fun". We observed staff had time to spend with people in groups and on a one to one basis.
Most people we spoke to said they felt they could talk to staff if they had a complaint or concern. There was a system in place for monitoring the quality of service but this was not always done regularly or in a formal way. There was no evidence that reflection on incidents took place or any learning was taken from them.
At the last inspection people said they would like opportunities to go out more. At this visit no one expressed a wish to go out of the home more often. One person told us that they regularly went out with family members and commented 'That's enough for me nowadays.' Another person told us 'We are all getting older and it's such an effort to go out I prefer to stay indoors.'
Most people we spoke with were not familiar with their care plans. However everyone said that staff asked them about how they liked to be helped, what food they liked and what activities they enjoyed. One person told us 'They know how I like things done, they always ask about what you want.'
People who lived at the home said that they felt safe and that staff were always kind and polite. We observed that there was a relaxed atmosphere and people appeared very comfortable with the staff who supported them. People told us that if they had any worries or concerns they would be able to speak to a member of staff. One person said 'I'd talk to one of the staff and they would put things right.'
People we spoke with were very happy with the staff who supported them. One person told us 'All the staff are very helpful, you only have to ask and they sort things out.' Another person said 'Staff are very kind, they can't do too much for you.'
Everyone said that there was always staff available and they could make suggestions and share ideas about the running of the home at any time.
Some people told us that they rarely left the home and they would like to go out more often. One person told us 'I would like to go out more in the country side, my family take me out on day trips'. Another person said 'I do not go out often it's the wrong time of year, it's a bit of fuss to go out' and said that if there was one thing they could change it would be to go out more. Another person said 'there are no days out, they don't ask us' and when we asked them what they would like to do they said 'I would like to go to the seaside'.
People who live in the home told us they feel well cared for by staff. We observed call bells being answered in a reasonable time throughout the day.
People told us that the staff are very kind and have time to talk to them. One person told us 'carers will come over and chat to us'. Another person said 'staff have time to chat and are happy to help with anything you want'.
A relative told us 'staff are very kind, it's like a second home here'. They told us there are no restrictions on when they can visit they are always made welcome.
People told us the food was very good in the home. One person told us 'the food is extremely good'. Another person said 'there is a good choice of food and I am happy to tell them if I did not like it'.
People told us they feel safe and supported in the home. One person told us 'I feel safe here'. People told us they feel able to talk to a member of staff if they had a concern. One person told us 'I have raised issues before and they are dealt with'. Another person said 'I try not to complain, the staff do what they can. I speak to the staff'.