Archived: Ecclesholme

We found the following examples of good practice.

• Relatives and people found hand writing letters during the National lockdown had provided a great comfort with some people enjoying staff reading them aloud.

•The care home was closed to all visitors except health professionals, for example district nurses. Appointments not requiring direct contact, were conducted by telephone or video calls.

• In July 2020 the care home was rated 100% in their annual infection control audit, carried out by Salford City Council, infection control team.

• All staff were offered staff wellbeing advice and staff benefits. The senior team recently sent all staff a wellbeing goody bag which provided staff with big moral boost.

• Ecclesholme had created two purpose-built enclosed visitor pods that were sealed and therefore provided a complete barrier between visitors and residents. The pods could only be accessed from the garden by the visitors and had a built-in intercom system.

• Staff and people were regularly tested in line with the government's current COVID-19 testing programme. The service was large, light and airy and had a large garden which people could choose to use.

Ecclesholme is a residential care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. This was the first time this home had been inspected since registering under the current provider on 18 March 2016.

Ecclesholme is situated in the Eccles area of Manchester and accommodates up to 50 adults. Some people are living with dementia. There are three floors that are accessible by lift and stairs. Each floor provides a variety of communal areas to meet the different needs and preferences of individuals. People living in the home are able to move between the different floors according to their wishes. At the time of the inspection 43 people were living at the home.

There was a registered manager 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 living at the home told us they felt safe. The staff we spoke with demonstrated a good understanding of how to recognise and protect people from harm or abuse. Staff were aware of safeguarding and whistleblowing policies and procedures and their responsibilities to report concerns.

People living at the home had up to date care plans that reflected their needs, wishes and preferences. These plans were reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes. People living at the home told us they felt cared for. Staff supporting them appeared kind and unhurried.

Staff had been recruited safely and had received training and guidance to ensure they were able to support people effectively. The staff we spoke with confirmed this. Staff told us they were happy to be working at the home some of whom had been there for over 20 years. We saw positive interactions between staff, people using the service and their visitors. People visiting the home praised the staff working there.

The home was aware of the importance of consent and their obligations under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. We found the home was meeting their obligations.

Medication was seen to be stored and administered safely and effectively. Records were accurate and staff were suitably trained. Staff received regular medication training. Regular spot checks by senior staff maintained good practice in relation to medication. Infection control policies were clear and staff were observed to follow them throughout the two days of inspection.

Two GP surgeries visited weekly, district nurses visited as required which currently was every day. A visiting GP and district nurse praised the quality of communication from the home which they felt made their input more effective. The home is also skilled in supporting people with end of life care that reflects their wishes and ensured this was provided consistently.

People living at and visiting the home spoke highly of the food. The cook was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and ensured a variety of appetising food and drink was available throughout the day. The kitchen is also open during the night in case people were hungry. The home had changed when they had the main meal to later in the day in response to some people not feeling hungry enough to eat at lunch time. We saw where people were at risk nutritionally the home had effective systems in place to manage this.

An electronic record system was in place with paper records used for daily updates of food and drinks, pressure care and personal care. The home monitored the quality of care provided using audits and spot checks of care delivery. The home sought people's views on the service provided from people using the service their relatives and staff. Satisfaction surveys showed people were mostly satisfied. We saw complaints and concerns were responded to effectively.

The registered manager was committed and effective. Everyone we spoke with was aware who the manager was and felt the service was well led and managed. People, relatives and staff told us they found the manager to be approachable, caring and responsive.