Archived: Amherst House

Amherst House is registered to provide nursing and personal care for up to 60 older people. At the time of our inspection there were 56 people living at the service. Some people using the service were living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were kept safe from abuse and avoidable harm. People told us they felt safe using the service because they were supported by staff who knew their needs well. Staff knew how to manage risks associated with people’s care and there were enough staff available to support people safely.

People and relatives spoke positively about the staff and the support they received. Action had been taken to reduce the risk of the spread of infection and the provider had ensured practices were updated according to national guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People's needs and choices were assessed and planned for, and their preferences had been considered. Staff supported people to manage their nutritional needs safely and people were complimentary about the food. Staff were safely recruited and inducted. They had access to appropriate training and supervision to ensure they had the skills to support people effectively.

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 were supported to access activities, outings and celebrations. Friends and relatives were welcomed into the service and people were supported to maintain relationships. Staff supported people to access healthcare services as required. Any specialist support was recorded, and actions completed.

The registered manager provided clear direction which helped to empower people to achieve positive outcomes. People and relatives were involved with the running of the service. Staff felt valued and supported by the management team.

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 10 December 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was outstanding, published on 12 July 2019.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.