Archived: Saint John of God Hospitaller Services - Beach Road

We spent time speaking with and observing people who lived at Beach Road as well as speaking with staff. We reviewed records and requested information from the provider. If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report. We used the evidence to answer five questions.

Is the service safe?

People were cared for in an environment that was safe, clean and hygienic. Equipment at the home had been well maintained and serviced regularly. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people who lived there. We spent time observing people and noticed that they were cared for safely. Staff we spoke with said that they were happy with staffing levels and said that these helped to provide safe and appropriate care.

Staff records demonstrated that mandatory training was up to date and that staff were trained to meet the complex needs of people. Staff were trained in the safe storage and administration of medicines, moving and handling and complex nutritional needs.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications had needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made, and how to submit one.

Is the service effective?

During our visit we spent time observing people relaxing and spent time with a person during their breakfast. It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. For example, we noted that staff were able to adapt the way they spoke to each person, with a particular understanding of how important the person's daily routine was to them.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care safely and to an appropriate standard. Staff had received training to meet the needs of the people living at the home and told us that they were able to put their training into practice.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that staff showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people, especially when they needed help moving around and to eat. Staff took into account the complex needs of people when planning activities so that they could take part in these safely. Staff told us that a stable and consistent staffing team meant that they had been able to build trusting and caring relationships with people.

Is the service responsive?

People's needs had been assessed before they moved into the home and these were checked by regular reviews, in which they were involved. People's needs assessments included an assessment of their capacity to make decisions as well as consideration of their dietary and nutrition requirements.

People's preferences and interests were acted on by staff who used monthly meetings with key workers to support people to meet their needs and goals. People had access to activities that were designed to stimulate them and they were able to influence the running of the home.

Is the service well led?

Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and quality assurance processes were in place. Staff told us that they were clear about their roles and responsibilities and that management support helped them to do their job effectively.

We found that the registered manager was in charge of two services and that a designated senior member of staff was always in place when the manager was off site.

We were supported in this inspection by an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. We asked the expert by experience to spend time with the people using the service to find out their views about what it was like to live there.

The expert by experience told us that they were very impressed by the way that the staff team treated the people at the home, which was with genuine respect. In addition they thought that the care staff made a real effort to involve them in the services being provided.

The expert by experience thought their family member would be safe in this environment with this staff team. Their perception was that they would be respected, valued and included. They thought the staff and management of the home deserved full credit for the good lives that they were giving the people who lived there.

The expert by experience told us that they thought the premises was decorated and furnished to a high standard and everywhere was clean and tidy. They thought that the overall feel to the home was good.

We found that people who were using the service were receiving the care and support they needed. For example the staff we spoke with were knowledgable and could describe how they met peoples needs. In addition, we found that the records of care reviews showed that the people and their relatives had been consulted about their care. However we did not find evidence that all of the records relevant to the management of the services were accurate and fit for purpose or could be located promptly.

During the inspection, the staff members on duty were observed speaking to people in a kind and respectful way. We also observed that the people were clean and well groomed.