Archived: Garsewednack Residential Home

Updated 30 October 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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.

We visited Garsewednack Residential Home on 8 and 9 September 2015. The inspection was carried out by one inspector. The inspection was unannounced

Before visiting the home we reviewed previous inspection reports and other information we held about the service such as notifications of incidents. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

During the two days of our inspection visit we spoke with fifteen people who used the service and two visiting relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager and five members of staff. We inspected the premises and observed care practices on both days of our visit. We looked at six records which related to people’s individual care. We also looked at ten staff files and other records in relation to the running of the home.

Updated 30 October 2015

Garsewednack Residential Home is a care home which provides accommodation and personal care for up to 21 people. At the time of the inspection 21 people were using the service. Some of those people were living with dementia. Some people had physical or sensory disabilities.

There was a registered manager at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

We inspected on 8 and 9 September 2015. The inspection was unannounced. The service was last inspected on 6 May 2014 and was found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations.

People told us they felt safe at the service and with the staff who supported them. People told us, “I love it here, to me, this is home,” “people have been very kind to me” and “Everyone has been very helpful and kind.” Staff were friendly and carried out their duties to a high professional standard. There was a calm atmosphere and people did not appear rushed. Staff understood their work and were committed to the people who lived at Garsewednack. Records showed there were satisfactory recruitment processes, and staff had undertaken basic training, such as moving and handling and fire training, as required by health and safety regulations.

The medicines system was well organised, and people told us they received their medicines in a timely manner. People had access to a general practitioner (GP), and other medical professionals such as a dentist, chiropodist and an optician. However records of some medical support were not always consistently kept to a good standard.

There were satisfactory numbers of staff on duty to keep people safe and meet their needs. People who used the service told us staff worked professionally to meet their needs. For example we were told “They are very nice staff,” and ”they are very good to us here.” People said if they pressed the call bell, staff would come quickly to provide them with assistance.

People told us they could spend their time how they wanted and were able to spend time in private if they wished. Some activities were available for people. Most people were happy with the activities provided, although some people said they would like more to do, and would like the opportunity to go out on trips.

Care files contained suitable information such as a care plan, and these were regularly reviewed. People’s capacity to consent to care and treatment was suitably assessed in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005). People said they did not feel restricted. For example one person said “I am free, within my capabilities, to do what I want.” If restrictions were necessary, for example to protect people from a high level of personal risk, appropriate referrals to the local authority had been made.

People said they enjoyed the food, and we were told regular drinks were provided. For example one person said “The food is excellent.” People had a choice of eating their meals in the dining room or their bedrooms. People said they were provided with cold drinks, and regular teas and coffees during the day

One person raised a concern about their care, which was referred to the registered manager. Everyone else who we spoke with was very happy with the standard of care. People said if they did have concerns, they would feel confident discussing these with staff or with management. People said they were sure that staff and management would resolve any concerns or complaints appropriately.

People felt the home was well managed. For example we were told the registered persons were “ordinary people,” who would spend time with them, and listen to how they felt about the service. There were satisfactory systems in place to monitor the quality of the service.