All inspections: Apple Garth - Care Quality Commission

We looked at the personal care or treatment records of people who use the service, carried out a visit on 20 November 2013, observed how people were being cared for at each stage of their treatment and care. We talked with people who use the service and talked with staff.

We were supported on this inspection by an expert-by-experience. This is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

We looked at how the service supported people with their nutritional needs and how medication was managed by staff. We looked at equipment used by people and we inspected the environment. We talked with people who used the service, their relatives and staff.

We reviewed the care of four people. We saw people's risk assessments and care plans did not always reflect their needs. For example people who followed a specific diet had not received a specialist assessment.

We saw people's nutritional needs were being met. We saw the management of medicines was not always safe and found incorrect stock levels and out of date medication.

We saw the service had not followed a robust recruitment process as several staff had not had a criminal records check.

We saw equipment was generally safe for people to use. During our inspection we highlighted several areas which had not been maintained appropriately and required repair or replacement. We spoke to people who used the service we happy with their care.

We visited the home on 4 March 2013. During our visit, we spoke with the manager and four staff. We observed interactions and spoke with five people who lived at the home. We also spoke by phone with three relatives of people who lived at the home. At the time of our visit 22 people lived at the home.

People told us, 'The staff are lovely' and 'The home is so comfortable.' Staff said, 'It's the friendliest home I've worked in.'

Staff told us that staff cover was good and they plan a wide range of activities for people.

We observed that people who lived at the home interacted positively with staff and appeared very comfortable and relaxed. They were encouraged to make their own choices and decisions. The home was clean, tidy and well maintained.

People told us that staff were pleasant and helpful.

We made an unannounced visit to this care home on 22 December 2011.

There were 19 people using the service when we visited. We spoke with ten of these people and spent time observing their experiences in the care home.

We looked at three people's care records and spoke with the manager and two care staff. We looked at some records relating to the running of the home, such as staffing rotas. We toured the home and looked at the lounge and dining areas, bathrooms and several bedrooms.

The people we spoke with told us they were satisfied with the care and support they receive. Their comments included,

'They look after us very well. They do everything we need.'

'It's a friendly place and there's always something going on.'

We saw that people were not left unattended for extended lengths of times. There was a staff presence in communal areas. We saw staff sitting and chatting with people when they were not involved in a task to meet a particular care need. People appeared to be comfortable in approaching staff with their requests and staff responded quickly.

We observed that staff treated people respectfully. People were addressed by their preferred names and staff were discreet when asking about care needs. Staff gave sensitive explanations when they were helping people, speaking to them at a pace and level appropriate to their individual needs.

We found that, overall, the service was meeting the care and welfare needs of people using the service, but some of the methods used to assess risks to people's well being need to be reviewed.

We found that people using the service have some opportunities to have their say about the running of the home, but improvements are needed in the way the provider monitors the quality of service people receive.

We have asked the provider to tell us the action they will take to address our concerns.

Archived: Apple Garth

All Inspections

2 December 2013

During a routine inspection

4 March 2013

During a routine inspection

22 December 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service