Archived: The Bungalow

This inspection took place on 15 February 2016 and was unannounced. The Bungalow is in the Farnworth area of Bolton and is close to local amenities and public transport. The home is registered to provide residential care for 19 people. Parking is available at the front of the home. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the home.

We last inspected this service in October 2013. At that inspection we found the service was meeting all the regulations we reviewed.

The provider of the service was also the manager registered. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager oversees two other homes. The registered manager was available to assist with the inspection with the support of the senior carer.

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Staff spoken with were able to demonstrate their understanding of the whistle-blowing procedure and knew what to do if an allegation of abuse was made to them or if they suspected that abuse had occurred.

We found the people were cared for by sufficient numbers of suitably skilled and experienced staff who were safely recruited. We saw that staff had received essential training and support to enable them to do their job effectively and care for people safely.

People who used the service told us they felt staff had the skills and experience to meet their needs. People we spoke with told us they felt safe living at the home and spoke positively about the kindness and caring attitude of the staff.

We found that systems for managing medicines were safe and we saw how staff worked in cooperation with other healthcare professionals to ensure that people received appropriate care and treatment.

We saw that risk assessments were in place for the management of the safety of the premises. All areas of the home were clean and well maintained. Procedures were in place to prevent and control the spread of infection.

Systems were in place to deal with any emergency that could affect the provision of care such as a failure of the electricity or gas supply.

People’s care records contained enough information to guide staff on the care and support required. The care records showed that risks to people’s health and well-being had been identified and plans were in place to eliminate the risk. People and their relatives (where appropriate) were involved and consulted about the development of their care plans. This helped to ensure the wishes of people who used the service were considered and planned for.

We saw that appropriate arrangements were in place to assess whether people were able to consent to their care and treatment. We found the provider was meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS); these provide legal safeguards for people who may be unable to make their own decisions

Staff spoken with had a good understanding of the care and support that people required. We saw that people looked well cared for and there was enough equipment to promote people’s safety and independence.

Food stocks were good and the meals provided were varied and nutritious. People we spoke with told us the food was good and there was plenty of it.

We saw that a basic system was in place to monitor and assess the quality of the service provided.

The registered manager spent time at the home two or three days a week and held a ‘manager’s surgery’ should anyone wish to meet with her.

People who used the service were very positive about the care they received. Comments included: "The staff can't do enough, they are lovely", "I am happy here, the staff look after me well, I have no complaints", "I have been out to the local pub for a meal recently with the staff, that was nice" and "The staff come when I ring my buzzer, they always help me, they are very good".

Care was provided in an environment which was clean and organised. Relatives who were visiting at the time said: "The home is always clean, I never have seen anything to worry about at all".

We found The Bungalow had appropriate systems in place for the safe management of medicines. Satisfactory arrangements were in place to obtain routine and emergency medicines as required.

We sampled five staff personal files and found systems were in place to ensure staff had been safely and effectively employed.

The Bungalow had appropriate systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. Staff were supported by a range of policies and procedures.