Archived: Ravelston Grange Care Home

Updated 1 February 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the registered provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 4 January 2017 and was unannounced. This meant the staff and registered provider did not know we would be visiting. One Adult Social Care inspector carried out this inspection.

Before we visited the service we checked the information we held about this location and the service provider, for example, inspection history, safeguarding notifications and complaints. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to the Commission by law. We also contacted professionals involved in caring for people who used the service, including commissioners and safeguarding staff. Information provided by these professionals was used to inform the inspection.

During our inspection we spoke with three people who used the service and one family member. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager and two care staff members.

We looked at the personal care or treatment records of three people who used the service and observed how people were being cared for. We also looked at the personnel files for three members of staff and records relating to the management of the service, such as quality audits, policies and procedures. We also carried out observations of staff and their interactions with people who used the service.

Updated 1 February 2017

This inspection took place on 4 January 2017 and was unannounced. This meant the staff and registered provider did not know we would be visiting.

Ravelston Grange Care Home provides care and accommodation for up to 24 elderly people with residential care needs. On the day of our inspection there were 12 people using the service.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

Ravelston Grange Care Home was last inspected by CQC on 3 January 2014 and was compliant with the regulations in force at that time.

Accidents and incidents were recorded on individual report forms and a ‘Falls register’ was maintained by the registered manager to record any falls and action taken to prevent them.

Risk assessments were in place for people who used the service and described potential risks and the safeguards in place. The registered manager understood their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and staff had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Medicines were stored safely and securely, and procedures were in place to ensure people received medicines as prescribed.

The home was clean, spacious and suitable for the people who used the service and appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out. However, some monthly checks were not up to date.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people who used the service. The registered provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff.

Staff were supported in their role via an annual appraisal, supervisions and completion of mandatory training. We identified some gaps in training records however the registered manager confirmed this training was planned.

The registered provider was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and was following the requirements in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were protected from the risk of poor nutrition and staff supported people at mealtimes. Care records contained evidence of visits to and from external health care specialists.

People who used the service and family members were complimentary about the standard of care at Ravelston Grange Care Home. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.

Care plans were in place that recorded people’s plans and wishes for their end of life care.

Care records showed that people’s needs were assessed before they started using the service and care plans were written in a person centred way.

Activities were arranged for people who used the service based on their likes and interests and to help meet their social needs. The service had links with the local community.

People who used the service and family members were aware of how to make a complaint however there had been no formal complaints recorded at the service.

Staff felt supported by the registered manager and were comfortable raising any concerns. People who used the service, family members and staff were regularly consulted about the quality of the service. Family members told us the management were approachable and accommodating.