Archived: West Ridings Care Home

Updated 3 February 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 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.

This inspection took place on 16 and 17 November 2016 and was unannounced, which meant no-one at the service would know we were visiting.

The inspection was prompted in part by notification of serious injuries to two people. These incidents may be subject to a criminal investigation and as a result this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incidents. However, the information shared with CQC about the incidents indicated potential concerns about the management of risk of falls and the seeking of medical treatment. This inspection examined those risks.

Five adult social care inspectors carried out the inspection. Prior to the inspection we reviewed information from notifications, liaised with local partner agencies including the local authority and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

We spoke with 25 people using the service, eight of their relatives/friends, two visiting professionals and 14 staff. We carried out observations of people's care and reviewed 16 care records. We looked at documentation relating to the running of the home.

Updated 3 February 2017

We carried out this inspection on 16 and 17 November 2016. The inspection was unannounced, which meant no-one at the service would know we were visiting. The inspection was prompted in part by notification of serious injuries to two people. These incidents may be subject to a criminal investigation and as a result this inspection did not examine the circumstances of the incidents. However, the information shared with CQC about the incidents indicated potential concerns about the management of risk of falls and the seeking of medical treatment. This inspection examined those risks.

West Ridings Residential and Nursing Home is a multi-unit site providing care for up to a maximum of 180 people. The service has six units and provides care and support for people with nursing and residential needs including people who are living with dementia. On the day of our visit there were five units open and 113 people who used the service.

The service had a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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.

Staff had a secure understanding of safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures.

Staff’s knowledge of how to use equipment had improved since the last inspection and individual risk assessments for people were much more detailed to ensure staff had clear instructions for moving and handling people safely. People were appropriately assessed for equipment and the provider had taken steps to ensure equipment was suitable for people’s needs.

Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed to good effect to evaluate and share where lessons may be learned and practice may be improved.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and there was a reduction in the use of agency staff and staff being called from one unit to cover staff absence in another unit. Where a hostess was deployed this was positive and supportive of people’s dietary needs.

Systems were more robustly in place than at the last inspection to assess and monitor the competency of staff.

Training had improved and was more specific for staff to be effective and work safely, such as moving and handling. Staff knowledge of what was meant by people’s mental capacity and deprivation of liberty and processes they may need to follow where a person lacked capacity had been enhanced through training.

Staff were very caring and respectful in their interactions with people. People’s privacy and dignity was promoted well.

Assessment of people’s needs in care records was clearly documented.

There were many meaningful and interesting activities that supported people’s interests. The environment throughout the site had continued to improve since the last inspection and was more welcoming and homely.

There was more rigorous and regular quality monitoring throughout the site and the registered manager had a clear oversight of the strengths and areas to improve. Communication between units had improved which resulted in more cohesive teamwork at all levels.

At the last comprehensive inspection this provider was placed into special measures by CQC. This inspection found there was significant improvement to take the provider out of special measures.