11 August 2016
During a routine inspection
This unannounced inspection took place on 11 August 2016.
At the last comprehensive inspection on 27 July and 4 August 2015the overall rating for the home was requires improvement. With improvements needed to make the home safer, effective, responsive and well led. We asked the provider to take action to make improvements to the assessment and monitoring of the service. During this inspection whilst we found improvements had been made we need to see this is sustained.
There was no registered manager in post at the time of this inspection. 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.
Not all staff had felt well supported due to lack of a stable management team. An operations manager and a regional director have been providing additional support to the home over the last few weeks.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and to report on what we find. The provider was acting in accordance with the requirements of the MCA including the DoLS. The provider was able to demonstrate how they supported people to make decisions about their care. Where people were unable to do so, there were records showing that decisions were being taken in their best interests. DoLS applications had been submitted to the appropriate authority. This meant that people did not have restrictions placed on them without the correct procedures being followed.
People were provided with a good choice of meals. When necessary, people were given any extra help they needed to make sure that they had enough to eat and drink to keep them healthy.
Staff had received training, which was regularly updated in order to enable them to provide care in a way which ensured people's individual and changing needs were met. Staff knew how to manage any identified risks and provided the care needed as described in each person's care record. Peoples health needs were supported as they had access to a range of visiting health and social care professionals. .. Clear arrangements were also in place for ordering, storing, administering and disposing of people's unused medicines.
The provider had a recruitment process in place and staff were only employed after all essential safety checks had been satisfactorily completed.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect.
The regional director had carried out regular audits to assess what improvements needed to be made. Action plans had been put in place as needed.