Background to this inspection
Updated
27 September 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service, and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
One inspector and one Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Rayleigh House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
The inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed all the information we held about the service, including notification of changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send us within the required timescales. We contacted social workers, professionals in local authority commissioning teams and safeguarding teams. We reviewed the service’s previous inspection reports. We reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service and two relatives. We observed interactions between staff and people who used the service. We spoke with five members of staff: the registered manager, the owner, the administration officer and two members of care staff.
We looked at three people's care plans, risk assessments and medicines records. We reviewed staff training information, quality assurance systems, a selection of the home's policies and procedures, meeting minutes and maintenance records.
Following the inspection
We telephoned two further health and social care professionals.
Updated
27 September 2019
About the service
Rayleigh House provides personal care and accommodation to up to 15 older people across two floors in one converted residential terrace. There were 13 people living at the service at the time of our inspection, some of whom were living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Care plans had been reordered to ensure they were more accessible for staff. The content of care plans and risks assessments was in need of review to ensure they were detailed with person-centred information. Staff demonstrated an excellent and up to date awareness of people’s needs.
People enjoyed activities on offer but felt more could be done to offer a wider range of activities relevant to their interests.
Medicines were managed safely, in line with best practice.
The premises were well maintained, and appropriate health and safety checks were in place. Emergency procedures and contingency plans were in place. Risk assessments were in place and well understood by staff.
The registered manager worked proactively with external healthcare professionals. They ensured people had access to primary healthcare services.
The home felt welcoming, personalised and vibrant. Feedback was positive regarding the compassionate, affectionate and sensitive approach of staff.
The registered manager ensured people were involved in the planning of their care. They used a variety of meetings, one to one time and surveys to involve people in how the service was run.
People ate well and had a choice of meals and snacks.
People’s rooms were clean, well decorated and highly personalised; refurbishment of communal spaces continued and was to a high standard.
Staff received training relevant to people’s needs. They demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of people’s health, physical and emotional needs.
Staff received end of life care training. The registered manager ensured external accreditation and links with external healthcare professionals were in place. End of life care was regarded as a key strength by external professionals.
The registered manager worked well with staff and there was a strong team ethic. The registered manager was open and supportive with staff. They were appreciative of the support of a dedicated staff team.
People’s capacity was assumed unless there were reasons to consider otherwise, and staff acted in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 22 March 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 reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.