We carried out a review of the data available to us about Chrislyn House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Chrislyn House, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice:
A protocol was in place for ensuring visitors could safely visit. This included testing for COVID-19 prior to entry and ensuring use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitisation and social distancing. Individual risk assessments were in place for some people to take short walks in the community with a named relative as an alternative to indoor visits.
There was an ample supply of adequate and sufficient PPE, and staff were observed to be wearing this in line with government guidance. Staff had received training in infection prevention and control and PPE and were regularly updated on COVID-19 by the registered manager, including through staff memos.
COVID-19 testing was being completed following the most up-to-date government guidance. The registered manager had systems in place to give oversight of who had been tested and when, so that appropriate action could be taken.
A cleaning schedule was in place, including regular sanitisation of touch points to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other infections. Dedicated domestic staff were available to ensure this was completed to a good standard.
Furniture had been arranged to allow for social distancing in communal areas. Staff were seen to remind people about the importance of social distancing to help keep them safe from the risk of infection.
Chrislyn House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to people who have learning disabilities and or mental health needs and were predominantly aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 19 people. At the time of this inspection there were 11 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service:
People told us they were happy living at Chrislyn House and were happy with the service they received. People and relatives were positive about the caring nature of staff.
Staff spoke positively about the people they supported. They said they would be happy for their own relatives to live at the service because of the standard of care provided.
Effective systems were in place to ensure people's safety. Safeguarding investigations had been investigated appropriately. Risks were assessed and monitored, sufficient staff were deployed, and safe recruitment procedures were followed.
Health care professionals spoke positively about the service. One health care professional told us, "The staff are lovely here, very responsive, I have no concerns."
A range of activities were organised to help ensure people's social needs were met. A multi-disciplinary approach was followed to help ensure consistent and responsive care was provided to meet people's needs at this important time in their lives.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of 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.
There was a clear management structure in place. Audits and checks were carried out to monitor the quality of the service. Action was taken if any shortfalls were identified.
Rating at last inspection: Good (Inspection report published in December 2016)
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
A registered manager was in post. 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 received care and support that was personalised to them and met their individual needs and wishes. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and interacted with people in a caring, compassionate and professional manner. They were knowledgeable about people’s choices, views and preferences. The atmosphere in the service was friendly and welcoming.
People were safe and staff knew what actions to take to protect them from abuse. The provider had processes in place to identify and manage risk. Assessments had been carried out and care records were in place which reflected individual needs and preferences.
Recruitment checks on staff were carried out with sufficient numbers employed who had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs.
Appropriate arrangements were in place to ensure people’s medicines were obtained, stored and administered safely. People were encouraged to attend appointments with other health care professionals to maintain their health and well-being. Where people required assistance with their dietary needs there were systems in place to provide this support safely.
People and or their representatives, where appropriate, were involved in making decisions about their care and support arrangements. As a result people received care and support which was planned and delivered to meet their specific needs. Staff listened to people and acted on what they said.
The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs). Support workers understood the need to obtain consent when providing care. Appropriate mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions had been undertaken by relevant professionals. This ensured that the decision was taken in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, DoLs and associated Codes of Practice
Consideration had been given to maintaining relationships that were important to people. They were supported with regular opportunities to participate in activities outside the service and to sustain links within in their local community.
There was a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to voice their concerns if they were unhappy with the care they received. People’s feedback was valued and acted on. There was visible leadership within the service and a clear management structure. The service had a quality assurance system with identified shortfalls addressed promptly which helped the service to continually improve.
Is the service safe?
Staff had received a range of training to protect people from harm. Safeguarding of vulnerable adults from abuse (SOVA), Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) training were completed every year. Staff we spoke with told us that they were aware of the action they would take if they suspected abuse was or had taken place. They were also aware of what it meant to deprive someone of their liberty.
We found that the service had suitable arrangements in place to gain people's consent to and assess people's mental capacity to make decisions should they not be able to consent to their care.
The policy, procedures and quality monitoring of the service included health and safety and reviews of care planning and delivery. This system was comprehensive and ensured people lived in a safe environment with safe care.
Is the service effective?
People were satisfied with the care and support they received. This was consistent with the positive feedback received from people as reported in the provider's own quality assurance survey. All of the staff we spoke with were knowledgeable about individual people's care needs, and this knowledge was consistent with the care plans in place.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that staff showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. We saw good interaction between staff and people who used the service. Staff were caring and courteous in their manner. People told us that the staff were very kind and gentle. One relative said, "The staff are very caring here, very caring indeed and always make me feel welcome."
People's preferences and diverse needs had been recorded in their care files and care and support had been provided in accordance with their wishes. This showed that people were cared for by kind and caring staff.
Is the service responsive?
We saw that care plans and risk assessments were informative, up to date and regularly reviewed. The registered manager responded in an open, thorough and timely manner to complaints. This meant that people could be assured that complaints were investigated and action was taken as necessary.
Is the service well led?
We found that effective systems had been put in place to assess and monitor the quality of services provided and to identify, assess and manage risks posed to the health, welfare and safety of people who lived at the home. We saw that the home worked well with healthcare professionals to make sure that people received care that met their individual needs in a joined up way. We spoke with members of staff who told us that the manager demonstrated strong, visible and consistent leadership in a way that made them feel valued and supported.
We saw that staff were knowledgeable about people's needs and promoted their independence. When we talked with staff we found that they had a good understanding and awareness of people's care needs and preferences. A person who used the service told us: "The staff are kind and patient with me, they help me manage my money."
Staff told us that there were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet the needs of the people who lived in the home. One person told us: "The senior staff are very supportive, they step in to provide additional care and support when required."
A person who used the service told us they were aware of how to make a complaint and who to make it to, but they had not felt the need to.
We saw that Chrislyn House provided a relaxed and homely environment for people. Staff were friendly and respectful in their approach and interacted with people using the service in a confident and considerate manner.
During the course of our visit we saw that people were supported to express their views and choices by whatever means they were able to and staff clearly understood each person's behaviours and their way of communicating their needs. Staff looked after people's healthcare needs in a proactive way.
The staff team were well trained and supported to carry out their role.
The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of service that people received.
People with whom we spoke told us that generally they were able to make choices about some aspects of their care. For example, we spoke with four people about how they are supported to choose what to eat each day. They told us that staff offer them a choice of meals each day and that they can also choose where they have these, for example in the comfort of their own rooms or in the dining room. They are also able to make a decision as to whether or not they participate in social activities.
Another person who uses this service told us they are able to make decisions about going out and what craft activities they took part in.
People spoken with indicated that they were satisfied with the level of care and support they received at Chrislyn House.
Those people with whom we spoke indicated they could choose whether or not to join in activities and could spend time alone in their room pursuing their own interests if they preferred.
The people with whom we spoke made the following comments "I like it here." and "They take me out if I want to."
People using the service told us that staff helped them with their medication when they needed it and indicated that they were happy with their rooms and found them comfortable.
People told us that they feel well looked after by the staff at Chrislyn House. One person with whom we spoke said "I need a lot of help and they are very kind to help me."