Archived: Elswick Hall Care Home

Updated 26 July 2016

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

This inspection took place on 28 April 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection team consisted of an inspector and an 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 for older people.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service prior to our inspection. This included the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send CQC within required timescales. We contacted commissioners from the local authorities and the local safeguarding teams. We received no information of concern from these agencies.

During this inspection we carried out observations using the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not communicate with us.

We undertook general observations in communal areas and during mealtimes.

During the inspection we spoke with 11 people who lived at Elswick Hall, two relatives, the registered manager, two registered nurses, six support workers, one domestic worker, the activities organiser and two members of catering staff. We observed care and support in communal areas and looked in the kitchen, bathrooms, lavatories and some bedrooms after obtaining people’s permission. We reviewed a range of records about people’s care and how the home was managed. We looked at care records for six people, recruitment, training and induction records for four staff, four people’s medicines records, staffing rosters, staff meeting minutes, meeting minutes for people who used the service and relatives, the maintenance book, maintenance contracts and quality assurance audits the manager had completed.

Updated 26 July 2016

This was an unannounced inspection which we carried out on 28 April 2016.

We last inspected Elswick Hall Care Home in September 2014. At that inspection we found the service was meeting the legal requirements in force at the time.

The home provides nursing care and support for up to 47 people, some of whom may have mental health needs or live with dementia and associated conditions. The 'neuro-disability' suite, located on the ground floor, provides nursing care to 18 people with various neurological conditions, as well as people with acquired brain injuries.

A registered manager was in place. 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 said they felt safe. We had concerns however that there were not enough staff on duty to provide timely and individual care to people. Care was provided with kindness and people's privacy and dignity were respected. However, we saw staff were busy and did not always have time to interact and talk with people except when they were carrying out care tasks.

People were protected as staff had received training about safeguarding and knew how to respond to any allegation of abuse. When new staff were appointed, thorough vetting checks were carried out to make sure they were suitable to work with people who needed care and support. Appropriate training was provided and staff were supervised and supported.

Elswick Hall Care Home was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff had received training and had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best interest decision making, when people were unable to make decisions themselves. People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.

Communication was effective, ensuring people, their relatives and other relevant agencies were kept up to date about any changes in people's care and support needs and the running of the service.

Menus were varied and a choice was offered at each mealtime. Staff supported people who required help to eat and drink and special diets were catered for.

Limited activities were available for people and the activities and entertainment programme required expansion to ensure it met people's interests. We have made a recommendation about more activities provision across the home.

The environment was mostly well-maintained but some bedrooms were showing signs of wear and tear.

A complaints procedure was available. People told us they would feel confident to speak to staff about any concerns if they needed to. People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. There was regular consultation with people or family members and their views were used to improve the service. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.

You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.