Archived: Green Park Care Home

During our inspection we talked with 18 of the people who lived in the home and with 5 relatives of people who were visiting at the time of our inspection. We also spoke with 27 members of care staff and their supervisors as well as catering and other staff. We met with the registered and assistant manager and a member of regional staff. We looked at staff rotas as well as training records.

We looked around the building. Green Park Care Home is purpose built for 105 people arranged over three floors. There were 104 people living in the home at the time of our inspection. Two units specialised in the care of people who are living with dementia whilst another provided nursing care. The remaining units provided residential care for the people who live in them.

We found that the provision for people living with dementia was good. The home had made arrangements for the provision of activities throughout the different units. People who lived at Green Park Care Home said that the care was good but most people and their relatives as well as some staff said that more staff were required particularly at certain times of the day.

Staff at Green Park Care Home did not always receive adequate support in the form of supervision or training. Whilst there were quality assurance systems in place these had failed to identify these issues and help the management to prioritise them for attention.

We considered all the evidence we gathered under the outcomes we inspected. We used the information to answer some of the five questions we always ask;

o Is the service safe?

o Is the service effective?

o Is the service caring

o Is the service responsive?

o Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found '

Is the service safe?

We found that the staffing levels at Green Park Care Home were as described by the manager on the day of our inspection. However we saw that on previous days some shifts had not been covered meaning staffing levels fell below this.

Is the service effective?

We found that not all staff had received sufficient training to provide effective care.

Is the service caring?

We found that the staffing levels at Green Park Care Home meant that staff did not have time to spend on an individual basis with the people who lived in the home. Staff were under particular pressure at mealtimes which affected the experience of the people living in the home.

Is the service well led?

The arrangements made for the quality assurance of the service at Green Park Care Home had not always helped to identify improvements in the service that were required.

This was a responsive inspection to look at concerning information and we did not look specifically at other areas.

The decor of the home was bright and clear and there were areas throughout the home with themed d'cor for example a garage 'with car parts and tools on the wall and the seating being two car seats. There was a beach themed area where the walls had been decorated up to waist height with sand and sea shells.

The home kept a variety of pets; chickens, cats and rabbits. The garden area was large and appeared well kept and we saw that some people living at Green Park chose to sit by the doors leading to the gardens to enable them to watch the animals.

.

The bathroom areas had been decorated to high standard and were 'homely and inviting' as opposed to being clinical.

There were clocks in many areas of the home; however there was only one date board seen in the units with the correct date on.

We gathered information from a number of sources which included speaking with people who use the service, their relatives and health professionals. We also spoke with the manager, the deputy manager of the service and members of the staff team. Comment cards were also made available to people who use the service, visitors and staff for them to tell us their experiences.

During the inspection we observed staff speaking and interacting with people with dementias and with each other.

Visitors told us that they felt their relatives were safe and secure. However one person told us that they were happier with some staff more than others.

We found that the home had not signed up to the National Dementia Pledge and staff were not aware of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (N.I.C.E) guidelines for supporting people with dementia. This means that staff may not always be aware of current recommended best practice and innovations to support people who have a dementia type illness and their families. Being signed up to the dementia pledge also demonstrates that the provider and staff are committed to the care and support of people with dementia.

We observed two mealtimes and discussed with the manager that improvements in this area will make for a more positive experience for the people living at the home.

Some of the comments we received included: '' This home is a place that provides a happy, safe and caring environment''. ''As far as my relative is concerned they feel safe secure and cared for ''.

The people using the service who were able to tell us said that they were happy living in the home. Comments included; 'I am fine, the staff are good' and 'The staff are excellent.' Visiting relatives told us, 'They care about me too, this is one of the best' and 'This home is fantastic, couldn't ask for better care. All the staff are fabulous, nothing is too much trouble.'

The activities planned for the week ahead were on display around the home. A 'big bake' off has just been held and the next big event planned is, Green Park's 'Got talent'.

We asked the people living at Green Park about the staff working there, comments included, 'The staff are very good', 'The staff are very kind' and 'The staff are excellent.'

The staff members we spoke to were very positive about the home. Comments included, 'I love my job' and 'I really like my job.'

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 manager has organised a 'spouse support group', where the relatives of people who have a dementia type illness could get together informally to discuss things that affected them.