Archived: Seely Hirst House

Updated 27 April 2016

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 the service on 22 and 23 March 2016, this was an unannounced inspection. The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and an expert by experience with experience of the care of older people. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Prior to our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included information received from external sources and statutory notifications. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. 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 also contacted commissioners (who fund the care for some people) of the service and asked them for their views.

During our inspection we spoke with 16 people who used the service, three relatives, five members of care staff, the care plan officer, the registered manager and a deputy manager. We looked at the care plans of three people and any associated daily records such as the food and fluid charts. We looked at four staff files as well as a range of other records relating to the running of the service, such as audits, maintenance records and medication administration records.

Updated 27 April 2016

This inspection took place on 22 and 23 March 2016 and was unannounced. Seely Hirst House provides accommodation for up to 38 people with or without dementia and people with physical health needs. On the day of our inspection 36 people were using the service and had needs associated with dementia and physical health conditions.

The service had a registered manager. 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 told us they felt safe living at the home and staff knew how to protect people from the risk of abuse. Relevant information about incidents which occurred in the home was shared with the local authority and action taken on any recommendations that had been made. Risks to people’s safety, such as the risk of falling, were appropriately managed. The building was well maintained and the required safety checks were carried out.

There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff and people received care and support in a timely manner. The provider ensured appropriate checks were carried out on staff before they started work. People received their medicines as prescribed and they were safely stored. The registered manager took immediate action to ensure records relating to medicines were improved.

People were cared for effectively by staff who were provided with the knowledge, skills and support to care for them effectively. Further training was planned so that all staff would receive the training relevant to their role. People were asked to provide consent to the care they received. The Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) was used appropriately to protect people who were not able to make their own decisions about the care they received.

People were provided with sufficient quantities of food and drink told us they enjoyed the food. Staff ensured that people had access to any healthcare professionals they required and followed any guidance that was provided by them.

There were positive and caring relationships between staff and people. People were fully involved in the planning and reviewing of their care and made day to day decisions about what they wanted to do. People were treated in a dignified and respectful manner and staff respected their right to privacy.

People received care that was responsive to their changing needs and staff knew people’s support needs well. There was a range of activities provided and people told us they enjoyed taking part. People knew how to complain and any complaints received were appropriately and quickly responded to.

There was a positive and transparent culture in the home, people and staff were encouraged to speak up and their comments were acted upon. There were different ways people could provide feedback about the service they received and their comments were taken seriously. The quality monitoring systems ensured that any areas for improvement were identified and acted upon.