Background to this inspection
Updated
24 May 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and one assistant inspector.
Service and service type
Atlantis Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Atlantis Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, a senior care worker, care workers and auxiliary workers. We also spoke to one relative and one professional.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and four medicines records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and induction records.
Updated
24 May 2022
About the service
Atlantis Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 20 older people at the time of the inspection. The service supports people who may need support with their physical and mental health and may be living with a dementia. Atlantis Care Home is an adapted building in a rural area. At the time of the inspection there were 20 people living at the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy with the care they received, and people said they felt safe living there. Comments from people included; “Just generally they have really looked after me and made me feel at home.” While a relative said; “They are absolutely fantastic, and I have not heard of anyone anywhere say anything but good words about the home.” People looked happy and comfortable with staff supporting them. Staff were caring and spent time chatting with people as they moved around the service.
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 supported by staff who completed an induction, training and were supervised. Staff were recruited safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people’s needs were met. There was time for people to have social interaction and there was a designated activities staff member to assist people. Staff knew how to keep people safe from harm.
Staff received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely, including fire safety and mental health training.
The environment was safe and there was equipment available to support staff in providing safe care and support. Health and safety checks of the environment and equipment were in place.
There were processes in place to prevent and control infection at the service including additional cleaning and safe visiting precautions.
People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.
Records of people's care were individualised and reflected each person’s needs and preferences. Risks were identified, and staff had guidance to help them support people to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. People’s communication needs were identified, and where they wanted, people had end of life wishes explored and recorded.
People were involved in menu planning and staff encouraged them to eat a well-balanced diet and make healthy eating choices. Special diets were catered for. One person said; “I am a bit difficult to feed as I am a bit of a finicky eater, but they are used to what I like and they are very good.”
People were supported by a service that was well managed. Records were accessible and up to date. The management and staff knew people well and worked together to help ensure people received a good service.
Staff told us the registered manager was available and assisted them daily. They went onto say how they were approachable and listened when any concerns or ideas were raised. One staff member said; “They have been very supportive with staff, not just at work but personally as well.”
People and their families were provided with information about how to make a complaint and details of the complaint’s procedure were displayed at the service.
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
This service was re-registered with us on 27 January 2020 and this is the first inspection since their change in registration.
The last rating for the service under the previous registration was rated Good, published on 3 December 2019.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a change in registration at the service.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.