Aliwal Manor Care Home

Updated 10 March 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 25 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 10 March 2021

About the service

Aliwal Manor Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 31 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection.

Aliwal Manor Care Home accommodates 32 people across four separate wings over two floors, each of which has separate facilities.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People who lived at Aliwal Manor Care Home received care from a staff team who were passionate about delivering a service based on individual needs. Staff knew each person well. People’s views were respected, and they were involved in everything that happened in the service. People were happy living there and relatives trusted the staff team to look after their family members. One relative said, “I couldn’t wish for anywhere better for [family member]”

Staff delivered care and support that was personalised. Staff were kind, caring and motivated and people, their relatives and external professionals were complimentary about the care provided. Staff respected people’s privacy, dignity and independence and encouraged people to lead their life in the way they wanted to.

Staff understood the risks to people and the measures in place to keep them safe. Systems were in place to manage people's medicines safely and to reduce the risks associated with the spread of infection.

Sufficient numbers of staff were employed to meet people's needs. Staff received training that gave them the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their roles and meet the specific needs of people using the service.

People were supported to maintain good health. Staff made referrals to health professionals when required. Staff were kind and caring and had developed good relationships with people using the service. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People had access to food and drink based on their individual choice and preferences. People had access to a wide range of activities that reflected their specific needs and interests.

Care plans were in place which guided staff to provide support that met people's needs which were in line with their preferences.

Systems were in place to monitor the service, which ensured that people's risks were mitigated, and lessons were learnt when things went wrong. There was an open culture within the service, where people and staff could approach the registered manager who acted on concerns raised to make improvements to people's care. A relative told us, “I have nothing negative to say about the home and I can’t think of anything I would want improved.”

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 2 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.