Portelet Manor Rest Home

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• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We did not look at this key question during this assessment. The score below is based on the previous rating for this key question.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safeguarding during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Involving people to manage risks during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Improvements to the environment had been made and people confirmed this, ''They've had a lot of work done…it's quietening down now but we've seen a change.'' Relatives told us the home is, ''Not the poshest care home out there, but staff are really lovely and have time for everybody.''

There was no formal action plan following a fire drill and evacuation simulation report given to the home at the beginning of April 2024. This report identified several areas for concern and recommended actions to be taken. This was brought to the attention of the registered manager who took appropriate action to address the shortfalls identified.

During the onsite assessment we found 1 fire extinguisher which had not been tested since October 2022, 1 fire door with the fire seal sticking out of the side and 1 mattress pump which had not been PAT tested on time. We also found 1 of the boiler rooms had no lock on the door. We informed the registered manager of our findings and they took immediate and appropriate action to ensure these shortfalls were corrected.

The registered manager told us the staff met daily to discuss maintenance and health and safety concerns. However, we found periods of weeks where meetings had not been completed. We discussed our findings with the registered manager who following the assessment shared with us a new service improvement plan which listed a number of improvements planned for 2024.

The provider operated robust recruitment processes. All applicants were required to complete Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and reference checks prior to commencing employment in the service. DBS checks are important because they alert employers to individuals who are barred from working with people who receive a regulated activity.

Staff told us they felt well-supported and valued. Staff confirmed they received sufficient training to carry out their roles effectively and felt it helped them to, ''Do things better and offer the best care for our residents.''

We observed people being supported by sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff. One person required 1:1 support for a large number of hours each day, we observed the correct numbers of staff were available to provide this.

Relatives told us that staff had a caring approach to people living in the home. One relative told us they were grateful to the registered manager for their help and advice. People did not raise any concerns about the number of staff working in the home.

Relatives we spoke with did not raise concerns about the cleanliness of the service. People appeared happy and comfortable in their surroundings.

The home was clean on both days of our assessment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was available for staff to use when needed. We observed staff cleaning throughout both days of onsite assessment. At the time of the assessment the home held a food hygiene rating of 5 which meant hygiene standards are very good and fully comply with the law.

The registered manager told us they had recently implemented a suite of new policies and procedures including Infection Control Policy and Procedure. These were stored electronically and accessible to staff. All the policies looked at during the assessment were up to date.

Appropriate arrangements were in place to control the risk of infection. Staff had been trained in infection control techniques and had access to PPE. The provider's Infection Control Policy and Procedure reflected current practice guidelines.

Staff members told us they felt confident accessing people's care plans. One staff member we spoke with was able to confidently explain the correct process for reporting any concerns they may have regarding medicines in the home.

People, their relatives and external healthcare professionals did not raise any medicines related concerns during our assessment.

The provider failed to consistently check and audit all aspects of medicines management. We found one occasion when the provider had failed to undertake a stock check of controlled drugs in line with their policy. The lack of medicines oversight meant the provider had failed to identify this shortfall. In response to our feedback, the registered manager introduced new systems and checks to help to prevent a recurrence.