Northlands Care Home (Northumberland)

Updated 5 November 2024

Date of Assessment: 20 November to 26 November 2024. The service is a residential home providing nursing care and support to older people, including people who may live with dementia, people with nursing needs, mental health conditions or physical disabilities. At our last assessment, we identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, meeting people’s nutrition and hydration needs, the need for consent, staffing, duty of candour and governance. At this assessment, improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations. Since the last assessment, the new manager and quality manager had introduced improvements to the service, including to records to ensure staff had guidance to meet people’s needs in a safe and person-centred way. Risks to people had been assessed and care plans were in place to help mitigate risks as far as possible. Accidents and incidents were investigated thoroughly, action taken, and lessons learned. There were sufficient trained staff who worked with other professionals to ensure people's needs were met in a safe and timely way. Staff were attentive and treated people with kindness and compassion. Improvements had been made to monitoring people’s nutrition and hydration intake to ensure they received sufficient and varied diet. We advised further improvements could be made to people’s dining experience to ensure people who may live with dementia were involved in decision making about a choice of meal. People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the service and management. Any incidents where Duty of Candour was required was carried out and apologies made as appropriate. This service has been in Special Measures since December 2023. The provider demonstrated improvements had been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Updated 5 November 2024

People and relatives were very positive about the improvements that had been made at the service. A relative commented, “There is a different atmosphere, more relaxed, staff know what is expected of them.” People and relatives were complimentary about the care provided by staff. They said staff were kind, caring and supportive of people and their families. Their comments included, “I have lived here a while, the staff look after me well”, “The place means a lot, it has met my expectations, it has a homely, nice feeling”, and “I definitely get the support here, there’s no rushing, lovely.” People told us they felt safe, staff knew them well and they felt confident to raise any concerns. A person commented, “The manager is very assertive, she is delightful, very down to earth, I could tell her if there were any concerns.” People told us they were listened to, they were supported to make choices and were involved in decision making about their care and support. A person told us, “I’m definitely involved. if there’s anything I discuss it with them. Staff definitely know what they are doing, they are all lovely, from the youngest to the oldest.” There were enough competent staff to meet people’s needs safely. A relative commented, “There are always people, staff about, I can always find someone.” Improvements had been made to people’s nutrition and hydration, including to the choice and variety of food to ensure people enjoyed the meals offered to them. People’s comments included, “The food is excellent, you get a good choice, I get what I want”, and “The food is gorgeous, I get plenty of tea and coffee and the cakes are homemade.” People had access to activities and entertainment to support their health and well-being. A relative commented, “I know they are recruiting I know they are recruiting an activity coordinator, staff made decorations with people for Halloween and had a firework display. Staff do some 1-2-1 activities; they do jigsaws with [Name].”