This inspection visit took place on 01 November 2017 and was unannounced. The Yachtsman Rest Home is registered to provide personal care for up to 32 people. They support mainly older people or people with dementia. Accommodation is on three floors with a passenger lift for access between the floors. There are two lounges and dining rooms and a smaller quiet lounge. At the time of our inspection visit there were 29 people who lived at the home. There was a registered manager 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.
At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Although a number of people had limited verbal communication and were unable to converse with us, we were able to speak with four people who lived at the home. They told us they were happy and supported by staff who cared for them and treated them well. One person said, “The staff have been very kind to me since I moved here. It’s much better than I thought it would be.” A visiting relative said, “The staff are really kind and patient. They do a wonderful job.”
People visiting the home told us they were made welcome by friendly and caring staff and had unrestricted access to their relatives. They told us they were happy with the care provided and had no concerns about their relatives safety.
The service had sufficient staffing levels in place to provide support people required. We saw staff showed concern for people’s wellbeing and responded quickly when people required their help.
The service had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.
Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.
Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs.
Medication procedures observed protected people from unsafe management of their medicines. People received their medicines as prescribed and when needed and appropriate records had been completed.
We saw there was an emphasis on promoting dignity, respect and independence for people who lived at the home. People told us staff treated them as individuals and delivered person centred care. Care plans seen confirmed the service promoted people’s independence and involved them in decision making about their care.
We looked around the building and found it had been maintained, was clean and hygienic and a safe place for people to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required.
The design of the building and facilities provided were appropriate for the care and support provided.
The service had safe infection control procedures in place and staff had received infection control training. Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection.
People had been supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff knew people they supported and provided a personalised service in a caring and professional manner. Care plans were organised and had identified care and support people required. We found they were informative about care people had received.
People told us they were happy with the variety and choice of meals available to them. We saw regular snacks and drinks were provided between meals to ensure people received adequate nutrition and hydration. Catering staff had information about people’s dietary needs and these were being met.
We saw people who lived at the home had access to healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met. A visiting healthcare professional spoke highly about the care provided by the registered manager and her staff. They told us staff listened and worked closely with them ensuring people received good healthcare.
People who lived at the home and their visitors told us they enjoyed a variety of activities which were organised for their entertainment. These included exercise classes, karaoke afternoons, bingo and entertainers.
People told us staff were caring towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of high standards of care to give people meaningful lives.
The service had information with regards to support from an external advocate should this be required by them.
The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people on their admission to the home and their relatives. People we spoke with told us they were happy and had no complaints.
The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits and relative meetings to seek their views about the service provided.