Background to this inspection
Updated
6 September 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 9 August 2018 and was unannounced. A second announced visit took place on 13 August 2018.
Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service, including the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send us within required timescales. We also contacted care professionals involved in supporting people who used the service, including commissioners and quality and care governance officers of the local authority. Information provided by these professionals was used to inform the inspection.
The provider completed a 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.
During the inspection we spoke with 15 people who used the service, three relatives and a visiting health care professional. We also spoke with the registered manager, a senior care worker, two care workers and the cook. We joined people for a lunchtime meal to check the quality of the dining experience. We looked at the care and medicines records of five people, and the personnel files of three staff members. We also viewed records relating to the management of the service.
Updated
6 September 2018
This inspection took place on 9 and 13 August 2018. The first day of the inspection was unannounced.
At the last comprehensive inspection in November 2017 we found the provider had breached Regulations 11, 12 and 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. This was because people’s consent had not always been recorded. Also, topical medicines had not been managed in the right way and the provider’s quality assurance system was not effective.
Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions Safe, Effective and Well-Led. During this inspection we found the provider had made improvements and had addressed these shortfalls. People were assisted with their topical medicines in a safe way. People’s consent was now recorded. The provider had put in place a schedule of audits as part of its quality assurance check of the service.
Greenlane Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The care home can accommodate up to 28 people. At the time of this inspection there were 25 people living there. This home does not provide nursing care.
There was an experienced and well-trained registered manager, who was also one of the owners. 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 and relatives we spoke with felt the home was a safe and comfortable place to live. Staff were clear about how to recognise and report any concerns. The provider carried out checks to make sure only suitable staff were employed. The home was clean and odour-free.
People told us they were happy with the care and felt there were enough staff to assist them. They told us staff responded quickly to any requests for support.
Before people moved to the home their needs were assessed by the registered manager to make sure the home could provide the right care. Staff said they had training and support to care for people in the right way. Staff worked well with other health agencies and people were supported to access health services.
People said the staff cared for them in an effective way and responded quickly to any changes in their health or well-being. People said the meals were good. Staff joined people for meals which helped to encourage people to eat and drink enough.
People and relatives felt the staff were kind, patient and caring. There was a friendly, lively and welcoming atmosphere in the home. People’s individual choices were respected and their dignity was upheld. Staff were sensitive to people’s needs at the end stages of their lives.
People received personalised care that was based on their preferences and needs. Staff were knowledgeable about each person and how they wanted to live their life. People had the chance to join in daily activities, spend time in the garden and go out into the local community if they wanted.
People had information about how to make a complaint and they were confident that these would be acted upon.
The service was well-led by a registered manager who people described as caring and approachable. The registered manager often worked alongside staff to ensure people were receiving appropriate care. Improved systems were now in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service.