Archived: The Dell

Updated 22 March 2019

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

Inspection team:

One adult inspector, one assistant inspector and one expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service; in this case they had experience of older people and people living with dementia.

Service and service type:

The Dell is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Notice of inspection:

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did:

Before this inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. The registered manager had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR 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.

We contacted social care commissioners who help arrange and monitor the care of people living at The Dell. We also contacted Healthwatch (Manchester). Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used the feedback we received from these organisations to plan our inspection.

During this inspection we spoke with 11 people living at The Dell and two of their relatives and friends. We spoke with seven members of staff which included one care assistants, two team leaders, an activity coordinator, the deputy manager, the registered manager and a regional manager.

We looked at three people's care records. We checked 12 medication administration records and three staff files which included recruitment checks, supervisions and appraisals. We also looked at other records relating to the management of the service, such as quality assurance audits.

We spent time observing the daily life in the service and we looked around the building to check environmental safety and cleanliness.

Updated 22 March 2019

About the service:

The Dell 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 home can accommodate up to 40 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 32 people using the service.

People's experience of using this service:

• The registered manager understood their roles and responsibilities as a registered person. They worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure people received care and support that was consistent with their assessed needs.

• People felt safe and well cared for by staff who knew their needs and preferences. People told us they were given choices about their day to day life.

• There were sufficient staff available to meet people's needs and to ensure they could go out when they wanted to. Recruitment procedures were robust and ensured prospective employees had values in line with the service's aims and objectives.

• Care plans were up to date and detailed the care and support people wanted and needed. Risk assessments were in place and showed what action had been taken to mitigate any risks which had been identified.

• Appropriate referrals were being made to the safeguarding team when this had been necessary.

• There was a complaints procedure available which enabled people to raise any concerns or complaints about the care or support they received.

• Staff were competent, knowledgeable and skilled. They received regular training, supervisions and appraisals which supported them to conduct their roles effectively.

• People told us staff were kind and caring. We observed that staff knew people well. People's likes, dislikes and social histories were recorded in their care records. This helped staff get to know people well and care for them in a personalised way.

• People were supported to manage their prescribed medicines. Staff had received training to ensure this was carried out safely.

• Staff were competent, knowledgeable and skilled. They received regular training, supervisions and appraisals which supported them to conduct their roles effectively.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated requires improvement (published 23 February 2018). The overall rating has improved at this inspection.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. At this inspection we found that improvements had been made to the environment and people's health care needs.

Follow up:

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