All inspections: Allingham House Care Centre

This inspection took place on 19 November 2014 and was unannounced which meant the provider and staff did not know we were visiting. The last full inspection took place on 5 July 2013 during which we found the service was meeting the regulations we looked at.

Allingham House Care Centre provides nursing and personal care for up to 86 older people, some of whom were living with dementia. The home accommodates people over three floors. There were 84 people living at the home on the day of our inspection.

The home is required to have a registered manager. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager who had been in post since the home opened in 2012. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The registered manager had kept us informed of safeguarding incidents and other notifiable events which had occurred in the home in line with their statutory obligations.

We found the home to be well maintained, clean, and had relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The registered manager and deputy manager had a positive presence within the home and were well received by people who used the service, their families and staff.

People and their families told us they were happy to speak with staff if they had any concerns.

People we spoke with, who lived at Allingham House said, “The staff are kind, I like the banter I can have with them” and “I don’t really have to wait long if I call them, nothing is too much trouble.”

We conducted observations on all three levels of the home and on each level saw people were treated equally and with respect. Staff were patient and took time to listen to the people they were supporting.

We found the mealtime experience was pleasant and consideration was given to the dietary requirements for people of the Jewish faith.

We visited the home on 5 July 2103 to follow up non compliance at our last inspection on 9 April 2103. People who used the service were cared for by staff that were not subject to a robust recruitment process.

Areas of non compliance were identified and we received an action plan from the provider to address areas of concern.

We spoke with four people who used the service all were complementary about the staff. One person told us 'The staff are very good, very patient, they know what they are doing they are respectful they ask permission'. Another person said 'I am very happy; all the staff are very kind and very good I am happy here all the staff know what they are doing'.

We spoke with four staff members two of whom had transferred over from another care home and two recruited directly to Allingham house. Staff told us appropriate procedures were taken in the interview process and all told us they had undertaken an induction period on commencing work at the home.

We spoke with 13 people who used the service, five visiting relatives, ten members of staff, two volunteers and management.

We were told that people were happy living at the home and that staff were kind and helpful. One person told us 'staff are polite', another said 'staff are very kind and helpful'. One person told us 'it's like being in the Ritz'.

The manager told us that 44 people had recently transferred from another home and had moved in over a gradual period of time. The manager told us that they had worked closely with the local authority to ensure this transfer for people was as smooth as possible.

People told us they were satisfied with the nutritious food provided and it met their religious or cultural needs well.

Staff spoken with told us that they acted in accordance with peoples wishes by asking their permission before they carried out any care or treatment.

During the inspection we had some concerns that appropriate checks were not undertaken before staff began work.

We spoke with five peoples family members who confirmed they had been included in the completion of their relatives care plans, and they felt involved in their care.

Before our visit to Allingham House we had received a number of concerns. These concerns had been received anonymously by the Care Quality Commission from a whistle blower; some of the information was passed on to the local authority to be investigated under their safeguarding policies and procedures. The concerns identified related to alleged poor communication with staff, unsafe staffing levels and a lack of staff supervision.

We spoke with people living at the home and we asked people about the care they received, their comments included: 'I can get up and go to bed when I am ready I don't have to go when they say.' 'They asked what things I like and what I don't like.' 'They give us choices about everything.' To help us understand the experiences of people using the service we observed care and we spoke with people who use services. We also spoke two visiting relatives, staff and management.

One person told us: "The home is like 4 star luxury living. The staff are lovely and are very helpful."

We asked if people felt safe and they told us: "I do feel safe here and If I have any concerns I can speak to any of the staff and they will sort it out for me."

Each person using the service had a care plan in place. We identified some shortfalls in the record keeping which the provider told us they would act upon .

Archived: Allingham House Care Centre

All Inspections

19 November 2014

During a routine inspection

5 July 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

9 April 2013

During a routine inspection

9 November 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns