We carried out our inspection on 9 January 2018 and this was unannounced. We returned announced on 10 January 2018 to complete the inspection.Woodway House is a residential home which provides accommodation for up to 32 people. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service. At the last inspection, in February 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection the service remained Good.
The service had a registered manager. 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 continued to feel safe. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities to safeguard people from the risk of harm. Risks to people were assessed and monitored regularly. The premises were maintained to support people to stay safe.
Staffing levels ensured that people's care and support needs were met. Safe recruitment processes were in place.
Medicines were ordered, stored, administered safely by staff who were trained to do so. The temperature of the storage rooms needed to be more closely monitored to ensure they remained within safe parameters.
Systems were in place to ensure the premises were kept clean and hygienic so people were protected by the prevention and control of infection. There were arrangements in place to make sure action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service.
People were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff and the registered manager had an understanding of the MCA. Staff told us that they sought people's consent before delivering their support.
People’s needs and choices were assessed and their care provided in line with up to date guidance and best practice. They received care from staff who had received training and support to carry out their roles.
People were supported to maintain their health and well-being. People were able to see healthcare professionals when they needed. People were supported to eat healthily and staff ensured people had enough to eat and drink.
Staff were caring and compassionate. People were treated with dignity and respect and staff ensured their privacy was maintained. People were encouraged to make decisions about how their care was provided. Staff had a good understanding of people's needs and preferences.
People using the service and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care and support. Care plans were focused on the person and their wishes and preferences. People were asked about their wishes at the end of their life.
People were supported to take part in activities that they wanted to do and were encouraged to follow their hobbies and interests. People using the service and their relatives knew how to raise concerns. The provider had a system in place to obtain people’s views of the service.
The service had a positive ethos and open culture and people were involved in decisions about changes. People, their relatives and staff felt confident to approach the registered manager and felt they would be listened to.
Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor and review the quality of the service that was provided to drive continuous improvement.