Archived: Ainsworth Nursing Home

Updated 27 April 2018

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.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete 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. This was returned prior to the inspection. We took this information into account when we made the judgements in this report.

We also reviewed information we held about the service, such as whistle blower information and notifications of incidents. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We contacted the local authority commissioning team, the Clinical Commissioning group (CCG) and Healthwatch prior to seek their views about the service. Health Watch is an independent consumer champion for health and social care. Feedback received was considered as part of this inspection. No serious concerns were raised with us.

This inspection took place on the 20 and 22 February 2018 and was unannounced. The first day of the inspection was carried out by two adult social care inspectors, a pharmacist inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert-by-Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The second day was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

As some of the people living at Ainsworth Nursing Home were not able to clearly tell us about their experiences. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

During the inspection, we spoke with nine people who lived at the home and the relatives of four people. We also spoke with two care staff, a nurse, kitchen staff, the manager and two directors of the company.

We spent time looking around the environment including the outside of the building. We reviewed records relating to the care and support provided as well as the management of the service. These included; three care plans, staff recruitment, training and development, the medication system, health and safety checks, staffing rotas and auditing systems.

Updated 27 April 2018

We carried out an unannounced inspection of Ainsworth Nursing Home on 20 and 22 February 2018.

At the last comprehensive inspection on 5 and 6 December 2016 the service was rated requires improvement. Whilst no breaches of the regulations were found the provider was asked to develop support systems for staff and checks to monitor and review the service needed embedding. At this inspection we found some improvements had been made, however monitoring of the service provision needed expanding upon.

Ainsworth Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Ainsworth Nursing Home provides nursing and residential care for up to 37 older people including people with mental health and dementia needs. The building is a large, converted former hospital, based in the Ainsworth area of Bury, Greater Manchester. Accommodation is separated into two units; one providing general nursing and residential care and the second provides nursing care for people living with dementia. All rooms are situated on the ground floor and are easily accessible. At the time of the inspection there were 25 people living at the home.

The registered manager had recently left the service. Therefore there was no registered manager at the time of this inspection. However the provider had taken prompt action to appoint a new manager to the position. 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.

During this inspection we identified five breaches in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we have told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

Effective systems to monitor, review and assess the quality of service were not in place to help protected people from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care.

Robust systems were not in place to ensure people received their prescribed medicines safely.

Assessments and management of the environment need to be put in place so that potential risks to people are minimised.

Robust recruitment procedures were not in place to ensure the suitability of staff employed to work at the home. Sufficient numbers of staff were not always available at core times. Further recruitment was taking place so that better flexibility of support could be provided.

Further training opportunities were needed so that staff have the necessary skills and competencies needed to safely and effectively meet the needs of people living at the home.

We recommend the provider seeks advice from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) about the safety and suitability of locks being used at the home particularly as some people were restricted from leaving the building alone. Relevant checks were completed with regards to fire safety. Arrangements had been arranged for an up to date fire drill to be completed.

Activities and opportunities were offered to people to help promote their health and wellbeing as well as maintain community links. Information in people’s ‘life story’ books were to be considered so that other opportunities could be introduced around people’s individual hobbies and interests. We recommend the provider also refers to current guidance when developing opportunities for people.

Suitable arrangements were in place for the recording and responding to any complaints or concerns. People and their visitors were not aware of the procedure in place but said they would speak with the manager or staff and felt confident their concerns would be listened to and acted upon. We recommend the provider informs people of the procedure so they understand how their concerns will be dealt with.

People and their visitors were complimentary about the staff and the standard of care and support offered. From our observations we saw staff speak with people in a sensitive and respectful manner and responded to people’s requests promptly.

People and their relatives, where appropriate, were consulted about their care and treatment. The provider had sought the relevant authorisation to ensure people being deprived of their liberty were protected.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities in protecting people from abuse and were able to demonstrate their understanding of the procedures. Staff confirmed and records showed that annual training was provided in this area.

Care plans were person centred and contained good information about the current needs, wishes and preferences of people.

People were offered adequate food and drinks throughout the day ensuring their nutritional needs were met. Where people’s health and well-being had been assessed as at risk, relevant health care advice had been sought so that people received the treatment and support they needed.

Hygiene standards were maintained to help minimise the risks of cross infection. The premises and equipment were adequately maintained and regular checks were undertaken to help keep people safe.