We carried out a review of the data available to us about Vine House Older Persons Residence on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Vine House Older Persons Residence, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
To promote safe visiting for people and their relatives, the provider had built a bespoke cabin in the garden. The cabin had two entrances and was divided by a floor to ceiling screen. There was an intercom to aid hearing and communication. It was also heated for comfort. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectant wipes were available, along with a copy of the home’s visiting policy. After each visit the cabin was fully cleaned and left to ventilate before the next use.
The residents’ side of the cabin had been fitted with a handwashing sink. This meant some visits from healthcare professionals could take place in the cabin, as an alternative to their entering the home.
Relatives told us how the staff had gone above and beyond what would be expected of them. One relative said, “The precautions were very, very tight. It was very well done.” Another told us, “They didn't just keep them safe, they tried to nurture them and they were looking after them emotionally. They are acutely aware of the impact (of the pandemic and lockdowns) on their residents. My Mum says you can't be miserable in here when you have such friendly staff, that’s a quote from her.”
Staff monitored residents with the aim to detecting any early symptoms of Covid-19. These checks included twice daily temperature checks. Staff had been trained to use an Oximeter, this gives a reading of oxygen saturation levels in a person’s blood and is useful when discussing a person’s support needs with healthcare professionals.
The registered manager had clear procedures in place, which were understood and followed by staff. All staff had received additional training in infection prevention and control and had been required to complete a competency check for the donning and doffing of PPE. The registered manager told us, “I’m really proud of the support the staff have given one another.”
Vine House Older Persons Residence is registered to provide accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care, for a maximum of 17 people. At the time of the inspection 13 people were living at Vine House Older Persons Residence, some of whom were living with dementia. Accommodation is over two floors, accessed by a lift, and includes two shared lounges and a dining room. There is a large garden to the rear, side and front of the home.
Vine House Older Peoples Residence is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
There was a registered manager in post at the time of the inspection. 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.
At the last inspection we found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key question of well-led to at least good. At this inspection, we found that improvements had been made and the regulation was being met. The governance framework supported the registered manager to identify and correct areas of the service provision as required and these quality checks were happening regularly.
People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible, however, the policies and systems in the service do not support this practice.
We have made a recommendation that the provider update their knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People told us they felt safe. Systems to manage safeguarding, accidents and incidents were robust, and helped to prevent further occurrences. Medicines were ordered, received, stored and administered safely.
There were sufficient staff available to meet people’s needs and plans in place in case of emergency. Recruitment procedures were in place to assess the suitability of prospective staff.
The home was clean, tidy and well maintained. Risks around the spread of infection were well managed.
People’s needs were assessed and supported holistically. They and their relatives were involved as appropriate. Areas of risk for people were identified and assessed,
People told us they enjoyed the food, and were able to choose what they ate. There were a variety of activities for people to take part in, and staff encouraged them to do so.
The service worked well with other organisation to promote people’s health and wellbeing. The provider sought, and responded to, the views of people, their relatives, staff and other professionals.
People were treated with kindness, respect and compassion with their independence promoted. Staff knew people and their interests well and had developed good relationships. People told us that they felt their privacy was respected.
Vine House Older Persons Residence provides accommodation and care for up to 17 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our visit, there were 13 people in residence.
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.
The registered manager had been absent in the months preceding our visit and some aspects of the service had fallen behind. Whilst the quality assurance process had delivered improvements in many areas, it had not been used effectively to monitor all aspects of the service.
Staff took prompt action to respond to changes in people’s care needs but records for each person were not always accurate or complete. We did not identify a direct risk to people but the lack of accurate records meant staff were unable to demonstrate that effective care had been planned and delivered at all times.
People spoke very highly of the service and that care that they received. They told us that they enjoyed the company of staff and were well looked after. One person said, “All of the staff are lovely”. Another told us, “Everyone is so friendly”. The atmosphere during our visit was very happy, with people and staff laughing together. There was a varied activity programme which people enjoyed.
People were valued as individuals and staff involved people in planning their care. People were encouraged to be as independent as they were able and to contribute to the life of the home. Staff understood how people’s capacity should be considered and had taken steps to ensure that people’s rights were protected in line with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People told us that staff treated them with respect.
People felt safe at the home. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and reviewed. Staff understood local safeguarding procedures. They were able to speak about the action they would take if they were concerned that someone was at risk of abuse. People received their medicines safely.
There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had received training and were supported by the management through supervision and appraisal. People and relatives had confidence in the staff and their abilities.
Where there were changes in people’s needs, prompt action was taken to ensure that they received appropriate support. This often included the involvement of healthcare professionals, such as the GP, district nurses or Speech and Language Therapist (SALT).
People enjoyed the food and were offered a choice of meals. Staff were attentive to people’s needs and supported those who required assistance to eat or drink.
People, their relatives and staff felt confident to raise issues or concerns with the registered manager or provider.
We found a breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we have told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.