Archived: Southfields House Residential Care Home

Updated 24 June 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was an unannounced inspection by an inspector and an expert by experience, it took place on 22 and 23 May 2017. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed records held by CQC which included notifications, complaints and any safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We looked around the home and observed how people interacted with staff and each other and the lunchtime experience. We looked at individual care records and associated risk assessments for four people along with other relevant documentation to support our findings. We viewed other records including audits, maintenance records and policies related to the running of the home. These included staff recruitment, training and supervision records, medicine records, complaint records, accidents and incidents, quality audits and policies and procedures along with information in regards to the upkeep of the premises.

During the inspection eight people told us about the care they received. We spoke with seven members of staff which included the registered managers. During the inspection we spoke with one visiting health care professional, we contacted a further four healthcare professionals for their feedback.

Updated 24 June 2017

Southfields House is a care home that provides accommodation for up to 16 older people who require a range of personal and care support. Some people were living with a dementia type illness and most lived independent lives but required support for example with mobilising safely and personal care support. At the time of the inspection 12 people lived there.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

There are two registered managers at the home who are also the home owners. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People received care and support from staff who were kind and patient. They knew people well as individuals and understood their choices, likes and dislikes and were committed to ensuring people received good quality care. People’s care plans reflected their individual needs and supported staff to provide good person-centred care. These were reviewed regularly and people were involved in planning their care. People were given the opportunity to take part in social activity if they wished to.

People were supported to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet of their choice. However, we received mixed feedback about food and meal choices. The registered managers were aware of this and working with people to resolve their individual concerns.

Staff received ongoing training and supervision and had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs. Staff told us they were well supported. There were enough staff to meet the needs of people who lived at the home. There was a safe recruitment system to ensure staff employed were suitable to work at the home.

There were a range of risk assessments in place. These helped people stay safe and to retain their independence.

People’s medicines were stored, administered and disposed of safely by staff who had received appropriate training. Some people had been prescribed ‘as required’ medicines. Information about why and when these should be given were in people’s care plans.

Staff had a clear understanding of the procedures to safeguard people from abuse. They knew what actions to take if they believed people were at risk of harm or abuse.

The registered managers and staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff sought people’s consent before offering any support.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to external healthcare professionals such as their GP when they needed it.

People had access to the complaints procedure and complaints were handled appropriately.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.