This inspection took place on 28 February and 8 March 2018 and was unannounced. At the last inspection in January 2016 we found that the service was good. Sunnyview House 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 care home accommodates up to 84 people across three separate units, each of which have separate adapted facilities. One of the units specialises in providing care to people living with dementia, another provides care to people requiring nursing care, and the third was designed for people requiring residential care.
The service did not have a registered manager in post. It is a condition of a service’s registration with CQC that there is a registered manager. The service had appointed a manager in December 2017 who was in the process of registering with CQC at the time of the 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.
People and relatives of people using the service we spoke with told us they felt the service was a safe environment. Staff were trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and there was a robust safeguarding process in place.
Staff and people told us staffing levels were improving, and there were enough staff to care for people safely. Staff were recruited following robust recruitment processes.
Medicines were managed safely, and people were happy with the way they received their medicines.
The premises and estate was well maintained and clean. There were measures in place to prevent the spread of infection.
The service conducted mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions, however on one unit we found that practice was not always in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). We have made a recommendation about the management of mental capacity assessments and best interests decisions.
People were supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle and their health was monitored with tools recommended in line with national guidelines. The service was proactive in accessing healthcare professionals on behalf of people using the service.
People and their relatives told us staff were caring and compassionate. Staff knew how to protect people’s dignity and privacy, and helped people maintain their independence.
There were not enough resources in place to provide people with meaningful activities and stimulation which took into account their interests. We have made a recommendation around the provision of activities.
People’s care was planned in a person centred way and people were confident they knew how to raise a complaint.
The new manager had made improvements to the service with support from the provider. There was a quality monitoring system in place, and there was evidence this had been used to improve the service. Staff told us morale had improved and that they would recommend the service as a place to work and receive care.