• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Whetstone Hey Residential Care Home

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Old Chester Road, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH66 3JX (0151) 339 6233

Provided and run by:
Belong Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

20 October 2015

During a routine inspection

This was an unannounced inspection, carried out on 20 October 2015.

Whetstone hey residential care home is a three storey building which provides accommodation and personal care for up to 42 people. Access to the upper floors is via a passenger lift or stairs. The home provides care staff 24 hours a day. At the time of our inspection there were 35 people living at the service.

The service has a registered manager. 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.

We last inspected this location in August 2013 and we found that the registered provider met all the regulations we reviewed.

The registered manager and staff informed us that the planned programme of activities was currently under review. We observed activities taking place during our visit including beauty sessions and a cinema afternoon.

Quality assurance systems were in place at the service and records we saw identified areas for improvement and actions that had been taken by the registered provider.

People supported and their relatives told us they felt safe at the service. Staff had a good understanding and were aware of the different types of abuse. Staff knew the process for reporting any concerns they had and for ensuring people were protected from abuse. Staff told us they would not hesitate to raise concerns and they felt confident that they would be fully investigated in partnership with the relevant external agencies.

There were safe systems in place for the management of medicines. Medicines were administered safely and administration records were up to date. People received their medication as prescribed and staff had completed competency training in the administration and management of medication.

Robust recruitment processes were followed and there were sufficient qualified, skilled and experienced staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff attended regular training sessions in areas such as moving and handling, first aid and safeguarding adults to update their knowledge and skills. Staff had regular team meetings and supervisions to discuss areas of improvement in their work. Staff received support through supervision and team meetings which enabled them to discuss any matters, such as their work, training needs or areas of development.

Staff were caring and they always treated people with kindness and respect. People were happy with the care that they had received. They told us that “staff bend over backwards to help you” and “I cannot praise this place enough”. Observations showed that staff were respectful of people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people to maintain their independence.

People’s needs were assessed and planned for and staff had information about how to meet people’s needs. Care plans we reviewed were personalised and completed in full and always promoted the involvement of the person or other important people such as family members. Staff were responsive in meeting changes to people’s health needs. The registered provider promoted positive partnerships working with external health and social care professionals to make sure people received the care and support they needed.

Policies and procedures were in place to guide staff in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The registered manager had a good knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and their role and responsibility linked to this. Staff were able to show an understanding of the key principles when asked.

16 August 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with five people who lived at the home and two relatives. They all told us they were happy there and had no concerns. Comments from them included: "If we tell them about something we don't like they (staff) alter it right away", "I'm very well looked after, cared for and well fed" and "I don't think we could be anywhere better than here."

We found the home to be very clean throughout. All of the bathrooms we examined were in a good state of repair. In addition to this the carpets and flooring were in very good condition.

We found there was an effective system in place to deal with complaints. It was evident there was a detailed audit trail of how concerns were managed and dealt with to the complainants satisfaction where possible.

We found that records were kept securely and could be located promptly when needed. This included staff personnel files and clinical records for people who used the service. The service also had data protection policies and procedures in place. We saw they were in line with the Data Protection Act 1998.

We looked at the staff rota and found the staff to service user ratio was good. In addition to care assistants and senior carers the home employed dedicated kitchen staff, chefs, laundry staff, maintenance and housekeepers.

18 December 2012

During a routine inspection

The people using the service who were able to tell us said that they were happy living in the home. Comments included; 'All staff are good', 'This is the best in the area, they always treat me properly' and 'I really like it, the carers are very caring. ' A visiting relative told us; 'My [family member] tells me there are no gripes in the home, everyone gets on well.' Another relative said; 'My relative is looked after really well.'

There was a consistent team of staff within the home and we do not have any concerns regarding either their numbers or suitability. A visiting family member said; 'The staff are really nice.' The staff members we spoke to were very positive about the home. One of them said; 'The home is very well run and we have a good staff team.'

Information about the safety and quality of service provided was gathered on a continuous and ongoing basis from feedback from the people who used the service and their representatives, including their relative's and friends, where appropriate.

The people we met with appeared relaxed, comfortable and at ease with the staff. It was also evident that the staff members had a good understanding of what was important to each person and how to care for them.

21 February 2012

During a routine inspection

The people who were able to say told us that they were happy living in the home and were being treated well by the staff members supporting them. Comments included; 'The staff members are very nice and are looking after me', 'The girls [care staff] are very nice', 'The staff are good and I am being well looked after', 'Marvellous', 'I am very comfortable here; the staff and the food are very nice'.

A visitor said; 'I visit a number of homes and this is the best'.

We spoke to a visiting community matron who was visiting one of her patients. She told us that the communication with her and the care standards within the home were good. According to the matron, one person who had passed away recently was 'cared for beautifully'.