Archived: Stonehaven Residential Home

Updated 13 May 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 providers were 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 3 April 2017 and was unannounced. It was conducted by two inspectors 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.

Before the inspection the providers completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the providers to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR, together with previous inspection reports and notifications we had been sent by the providers. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

We spoke with seven people living at the home and three visiting family members. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy care manager and four care staff. We also obtained feedback from the local authority’s safeguarding and commissioning teams.

We looked at care plans and associated records for seven people and records relating to the management of the service. These included staff duty records, staff training and recruitment files, records of complaints, accidents and incidents, and quality assurance records. We also observed care and support being delivered in communal areas.

Updated 13 May 2017

This inspection took place on 3 April 2017 and was unannounced. The home provides accommodation for up to 27 people, including some people living with dementia care needs. There were 11 people living at the home when we visited. The home was based on two floors connected by a passenger lift; there was a choice of communal spaces where people were able to socialise; most bedrooms had en-suite facilities.

There was a registered manager in place. 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.

At our last inspection, in April 2016, we identified breaches of five regulations. People did not always receive personalised care that met their needs; people were not always treated with consideration; staff did not follow legislation designed to protect people’s rights; some areas of the home were not clean and smelt of urine; and quality assurance systems were not effective. We took enforcement action and imposed a condition on the providers’ registration to prevent them from admitting new people to the home without written permission from CQC.

At this inspection, we found action had been taken and improvements made. No breaches of regulations were identified, although some areas still required further improvement.

We found staff did not always follow appropriate infection control procedures; they did not always wear protective clothing when handling soiled clothing or wash their hands afterwards. However, the home was significantly cleaner than at our last inspection and smelt fresh.

Essential safety checks of equipment used to support people to move had not been completed, although these were done following the inspection. Staff did not always apply the brakes to wheelchairs when supporting people to transfer to them; this put them at risk of falling. Other risks to people, however, were managed appropriately.

Medicines were managed safely, although guidance was not followed to help ensure one person received their ‘as required’ medicine when needed.

Staff received appropriate support and training. Some staff did not always apply their training in practice when supporting people living with dementia, although other staff demonstrated a sound understanding of how to meet people’s dementia care needs.

People were complimentary about the food. Their dietary needs were met and they received appropriate support to eat. However, staff did not always maintain a suitable atmosphere in the dining room that encouraged people to eat well.

Improvements had been made to the environment. These supported the needs of people living with dementia and helped them navigate around the home. However, the call bell system was loud and intrusive and had the potential to impact adversely on people.

There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Appropriate recruitment procedures were followed. People were protected from the risk of abuse and staff had received safeguarding training.

Staff followed legislation designed to protect people’s right. They sought consent from people and acted in their best interests.

Staff had built positive relationships with people and treated them with kindness and compassion. They protected people’s privacy and dignity, involved them in decisions about their care and encouraged them to remain as independent as possible.

People received personalised care from staff who understood and met their needs. Staff were led by people’s wishes and supported them to make as many choices as possible. People were supported to access healthcare services when needed.

Care plans contained information and guidance to staff to help ensure people received consistent care. They were reviewed regularly and staff responded appropriately when people’s needs changed.

People had access to a range of activities to meet their social needs. The registered manager sought and acted on feedback from people and people knew how to raise concerns.

People were happy living at Stonehaven and had confidence in the management. Staff understood their roles, worked well as a team and were encouraged to make suggestions for improvement.

There was an open and transparent culture. The registered manager had engaged with a health and social care specialist from the Clinical Commissioning Group to enhance the service. Positive links had been developed with the community to the benefit of people.

An appropriate quality assurance system had been developed to help ensure the service remained compliant with the regulations.