Rutland Home provides nursing care for up eighteen people, including people who have dementia and mental health needs. At the time of our inspection 11 people lived here.The inspection took place on 01 August 2017 and was unannounced. We had carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 30 April and 5 May 2015. At that inspection a breach of the regulations had been found with regards to records management. After that comprehensive inspection, the provider wrote to us to say what they would do to meet the regulations. The provider had taken appropriate action and addressed the concern we had raised.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 were safe at Rutland. Risks of harm to people had been identified and clear plans and guidelines were in place to minimise these risks. Staff understood their duty should they suspect abuse was taking place, including the agencies that needed to be notified, such as the local authority safeguarding team or the police.
There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet the needs and preferences of the people that lived there. Staff recruitment procedures were safe to ensure staff were suitable to support people in the home. The provider had carried out appropriate recruitment checks before staff commenced employment. They had also checked to ensure staff were eligible to work in the UK.
People received their medicines when they needed them. Staff managed the medicines in a safe way and were trained in the safe administration of medicines.
In the event of an emergency people would be protected because there were clear procedures in place to support people if the building needed to be evacuated. Regular checks were completed around the home to ensure it was safe, such as testing fire detection systems, and maintenance of equipment.
Where people did not have the capacity to understand or consent to a decision the provider had followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). An appropriate assessment of people’s ability to make decisions for themselves had been completed. Staff were heard to ask people for their permission before they provided care.
Where people’s liberty may be restricted to keep them safe, the provider had followed the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) to ensure the person’s rights were protected.
People had enough to eat and drink, and specialist diets either through medical requirements, or personal choices were provided. People were supported to maintain good health as they had access to relevant healthcare professionals when they needed them. When people’s health deteriorated staff responded quickly to help people and made sure they received appropriate treatment. People’s health was seen to improve due to the care and support staff gave.
There was positive feedback about the home and caring nature of staff from people who live here. The staff were seen to be kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. Good interactions were seen throughout the day of our inspection between staff and the people they cared for. People could have visitors from family and friends whenever they wanted.
Care plans gave a good level of detail for staff to reference if they needed to know what support was required. People received the care and support as detailed in their care plans. Details in the care plans matched with what we saw on the day of our inspection, and with what people told us.
People had access to a wide range of activities. People and relatives were positive about the choice of activities, and how there was always something interesting to do.
People knew how to make a complaint. No complaints had been received since our last inspection. Staff knew how to respond to a complaint should one be received.
People were happy living here, and their relatives were positive about the care and support given to their loved ones. One person said, “I find it very comfortable here, there are plenty of activities and all in all it is very good.” Another person said, “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I came to live here, but it is good, and I am happy.” A relative said this has been “By far the best option for my family member.”