10 March 2011
During a routine inspection
A user of the service spoken with confirmed that she was aware of the content of her personal care plans and that staff often discussed with her how best to meet her needs. The relative spoken with also confirmed that she had seen and had discussed with her the content of her mother's care plan and had signed the document accordingly. This same person also confirmed that she had very regular discussion with staff about the welfare of her mother and that staff were always very welcoming and always made time to talk with her.
During the course of the visit we spoke with four residents individually and one relative. We also spoke with a number of other people living in the home in a lounge area; however discussion with these people was more limited because of mental impairment. People using the service and the relative all spoke very highly of the care and support provided at Chaseside Care Home.
A person spoken with told us that 'The food is excellent, very good, very good choice. * the chef is smashing' Similar comments were made by other people living at the home that included, 'Meals are very good' and 'On the whole I really enjoy the meals, they know what I like'. The relative spoken with said that her mother enjoyed a specific type of diet from choice and that staff had listened to what she had to say. A diet that her mother enjoys is always provided
People living at the home told us that the internal environment was always kept clean and tidy. One user of the service told us that the home was comfortable including her bedroom and that she always slept well.
People using the service are encouraged to remain as independent as possible in all aspects of their daily lives. One person told us that the registered manager had offered to complete a risk assessment to establish if this person was safe to hold and self-administer their own prescribed medication. However this person told us that he had declined the offer as he is 'quite happy for staff to do this'.
People using the service told us that the home was clean and comfortable and that they were happy living there. The relative of a user of the service explained that although she was initially concerned about the physical environment of the home in that it was 'tired' and the environment could have been more attractive, the high level of personalised care and support her relative living at the home was receiving, far out weighed her initial concerns about the physical environment.
A recently appointed member of staff confirmed that a thorough process had taken place prior to her being offered employment at the home.
A member of staff spoken with stated that in her experience, there was always a sufficient number of staff on duty to meet the assessed needs of people living at the home. This was also confirmed by residents with one person telling us 'There is always enough staff'
Without exception people spoken with, including the relative, were very pleased with the care and support provided and stated they had no need to make a complaint about anything. A member of staff spoken with told us 'Nobody gets left out of anything here. We always provide separate activities and interests for those who are less able'.