St Lukes Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

¿ The provider had appropriate arrangements for visiting to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visitors were able to book a time suited to people and this was staggered where possible to avoid potential infection outbreaks with other visitors. Visitors were screened for symptoms of acute respiratory infection a before being allowed to enter the home.

¿ The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID-19 and was following government guidance on testing.

¿ The provider ensured that staff received appropriate training and support to manage COVID-19. Systems were in place to support staff if they became unwell and when they returned to work.

¿ Adequate supply of PPE was in place and systems were in place to ensure there was not a shortfall of PPE. We observed staff wearing PPE. People’s temperature was taken regularly to check they had not developed symptoms. Systems were in place to ensure people were safe if their temperature went above recommended levels.

¿ Systems were in place should people display symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, which included isolating in their rooms. Systems were put in place for people that had tested for COVID19 to be able to use the garden area or communal lounge should they not want to isolate in their rooms.

St Lukes Care Home is a care home registered to accommodate and support up to five people with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection, five people were living at the home. The service is a two-floor building. Each floor has separate adapted facilities.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

People’s experience of using this service

Risk assessments were not completed for people with certain health conditions to ensure they were safe at all times. Medicines were not always being managed safely. Controlled drugs were not being stored securely and for medicines as needed (PRN), protocols were not in place to ensure they were administered safely.

Quality assurance systems were not robust to identify the shortfalls we found with risk assessments and medicine management. We made a recommendation in this area.

Pre-employment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to support people. People told us they felt safe at the home and staff were aware of how to safeguard people from abuse. There were appropriate numbers of staff to support people when required. Systems were in place to prevent and minimise the spread of infections.

Staff had completed essential training to perform their roles effectively and felt supported in their roles. 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. People had choices during mealtimes and had access to healthcare services.

People received care from staff who were caring and had a good relationship with them. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People were encouraged to be independent and to carry out tasks without support.

People received person centred care. Care plans had been reviewed regularly to ensure they were accurate. People participated in activities to support them to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolation.

Feedback was sought from people and relatives and this was used to make improvements to the home.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 1 February 2020 and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on when the service registered with us.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation to risk assessments, medicine management and good governance. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.