Background to this inspection
Updated
11 March 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Sea Bank House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service short notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority commissioning team. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected Sea Bank House and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke about Sea Bank House with one person, two relatives, three staff and the registered manager. We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure Sea Bank House was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.
We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the home, responded to any concerns and led Sea Bank House in ongoing improvements. We checked care records of two people and looked at medication procedures, infection control protocols, leadership and quality oversight.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at their quality assurance systems.
Updated
11 March 2021
About the service
Sea Bank House is a residential care home providing personal care to 15 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 23 people.
Sea Bank House is situated in the seaside town of Knott End On Sea. There are two lounges and a separate dining room for people to enjoy. Parking is available outside the home.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Risk assessments were carried out and care documentation recorded the actions required to minimise risks. Staff we spoke with told us they had completed safeguarding training and would report any concerns to the registered manager or external authorities to ensure people were protected from avoidable harm. The registered manager followed safe recruitment practices and staff were deployed effectively, so they could meet people’s needs.
The registered manager carried out regular checks on areas such as medicines, infection control, accidents and incidents and the environment to ensure shortfalls were identified and actioned and successes celebrated.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were cared for in a safe, clean and homely environment by staff who were caring, competent and knowledgeable about people’s needs. Training and supervision was arranged to ensure staff had the skills to carry out their role. People told us they were “comfortable” and described staff as “kind and caring.” They explained the food was good, enjoyable activities were arranged, and they were supported to access medical advice if they needed this.
People were treated with dignity and respect and staff we spoke with us told us how they respected people and ensured their privacy and dignity was maintained. Care was person centred, met people's needs and achieved good outcomes. People were cared for at the end of their life in line with their wishes.
The registered manager had promoted an open, caring culture within the home and a strong ethos of teamwork to support people to live happily and safely. Staff and the registered manager worked closely together, and with external health professionals, to help enable people to have the best outcomes possible.
People were consulted and asked their views on the service provided. The registered manager provided people with surveys and a comment book for people to give feedback. Any comments were actioned whenever possible. People told us they were happy at the home and were confident any comments or complaints they made would be listened to.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 29 December 2018) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.