We carried out a review of the data available to us about Antokol 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 Antokol, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice:
Safe arrangements were in place for relatives to visit people at the home. Some relatives maintained contact with family members through video and telephone calls. Pictures and short films were sent to some family members to reassure them their relatives were well and happy. The visitors procedure was provided to relatives in English and Polish when they visited the home. All visitors, including health and social care professionals were screened for symptoms of acute respiratory infection before being allowed to enter the home. They were supported to follow national guidance on wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing.
The home was clean and hygienic throughout and was following the current government guidance in relation to infection prevention and control. The layout of the premises and use of space promoted safety and good hygiene practice. We observed that dining tables and chairs were well-spaced out. The manager told us the numbers of people using the lounge had reduced and we observed people sit in alternate seating. The windows in the dining room and lounge were opened alternately when not in use throughout the day to improve ventilation at the home.
The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID 19 and was following government guidance on testing. The provider ensured all staff had received training on COVID 19, infection control and the use of PPE. We observed staff wearing appropriate PPE and socially distancing throughout our visit. COVID 19 risk assessments were carried out with staff to ensure they could work safely at the home. Staff were provided with extra uniforms so they could change daily. Staff also had access to a confidential Polish counselling service if and when required.
The home had business continuity and COVID 19 contingency plans was in place that made provisions for safe care in the event of an emergency, or outbreak of COVID 19. The registered manager and staff worked closely with health and social care professionals to provide good care outcomes for people using the service.
Antokol is a ‘care home’ providing personal and nursing care to 33 people at the time of the inspection. The home can support up to 36 people. The home is owned by a Polish charity. It was established by Polish residents after the second World War. It has a strong Polish ethos and mainly, but not exclusively, provides care and support to people with strong Polish links. Antokol was providing care to some people living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service
The home was rated Outstanding in Caring at our last inspection. The service continued to be Outstanding in the way they cared for people. Staff continued to offer people care and support that was exceptionally compassionate and kind. People were supported to meet their spiritual and religious needs by the provision of daily services and the Christian ethos of the home was reflected in the attitude of the staff and their approach to care.
The service had safeguarding and whistleblowing policies and procedures in place and staff had a clear understanding of these procedures. Appropriate recruitment checks had taken place before staff started work and there were enough staff available to meet people’s care and support needs. People’s medicines were managed safely. Risks to people had been assessed to ensure their needs were safely met. The service had procedures in place to reduce the risk of infections.
People’s care and support needs were assessed when they started to use the service. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to support people appropriately. Staff were supported through induction, training and regular supervision. People were supported to maintain a healthy balanced diet and had access to health care professionals when they needed them. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People and their relatives (where appropriate) had been consulted about their care and support needs. People planned for activities that met their needs and preferences and they were supported to follow their interests. Staff had a clear understanding of people’s needs and had developed positive relationships with them and their family members. The home had a complaints procedure in place and people and their relatives said they were confident their complaints would be listened to and acted on. There were procedures in place to make sure people had access to end of life care and support when it was required.
The registered manager was proactive in seeking new ways to make improvements for the people living at the home. They worked in partnership with health and social care providers to plan and deliver an effective service. They motivated and encouraged staff to develop their professional and leadership and skills. The provider took people, their relatives, staff and professionals views into account through satisfaction surveys. Staff enjoyed working at the home and said they received good support from the registered manager. A person using the service had also been involved educating school children about Polish history. This reinforced the home’s role in the local community.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 13/04/2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
At the last inspection, on the 3 and 4 March 2015 the service was rated Good overall and outstanding in caring. At this inspection the service demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards and we found the service remained Good overall and outstanding in caring.
People told us they felt safe and well cared for at the home. Staff understood how to protect people from abuse or neglect and how to raise any concerns. Risk assessments identified any risks to each person and helped to reduce the risk of reoccurrence as well as safely promote their independence. The premises and equipment were routinely checked to ensure people’s safety. People and their relatives told us there were enough staff at all times to meet people’s needs. Medicines were safely stored and managed. People’s health needs were addressed.
Staff received sufficient training and support to meet people’s needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
People and their relatives all told us the service was distinctively caring. We observed people to be very happy and engaged throughout the day with staff and each other. We saw many examples of people laughing together and sharing jokes throughout the inspection. People spoke with a sense of community and belonging. There was a visible strong person centred culture at the home; care was provided on an individual basis and was not task centred. Staff spoke with enthusiasm about their work. They spoke with people affectionately and respectfully and were aware of each person’s needs and preferences. The service was committed to delivering dignified end of life care, in which people’s end of life wishes were respected and their spiritual needs were recognised and met.
People’s care plans were accurate and update and reflected their needs and preferences to ensure they received the support they required. People were offered a range of things to do to encourage interaction and stimulation.
People using the service felt able to speak to the manager or other staff to raise any issues or concerns. The home sought the views of people living there, their relatives and visiting professionals to consider ways to improve the home. There were systems in place to help ensure the safety and quality of the service provided. The manager knew the people living there very well and was described as approachable and committed to providing good care by people, relatives and the staff at the home.
Further information is in the detailed findings in the rest of the report.
This inspection took place on the 03 and 04 March 2015 and was unannounced. At the last inspection on 23 April 2013 the provider met all the requirements for the regulations we inspected.
Antokol is owned by a Polish charity and was established by Polish residents after the second World War. It has a strong Polish ethos and mainly but not exclusively provides care and support to people with strong Polish links. Antokol is set on three floors, ground and first floor are for people who live in the home and third floor is staff accommodation. The home provides residential, nursing and dementia care for up to 34 older people. On the day of the inspection there were 31 people living in the home. We were assisted by interpreters at this inspection as everyone’s first language was not English.
A newly registered manager was in post since the last inspection. They had previously worked as the deputy manager at the service. 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.
People told us they felt safe and well looked after at the service. Staff understood signs of abuse or neglect and knew how to report concerns. Individual risks to people were identified and monitored. There were no concerns about pressure ulcers and there had been no significant falls or injuries.
There were processes in place to manage emergencies. The premises and equipment including emergency equipment were routinely checked and maintained.
There were enough suitably qualified staff to meet people’s needs. People told us staff came promptly when they needed them and call bells were answered promptly. Adequate recruitment checks were in place before staff started work. Medicines were administered safely and risks of infection were minimised as the service was regularly cleaned and procedures for infection control were in place and followed.
Staff received suitable training and support to enable them to carry out their role. People were asked for their consent before they were given care. People’s capacity to make decisions was assessed in line with guidance and the law. The manager was aware of recent change to the law with regard to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards authorisations.
People had plenty to eat and drink. They told us they enjoyed the food and there was plenty of choice. People who were nursed in bed had a dedicated meal time to ensure they could eat at their own pace. Those at risk of malnutrition or dehydration were monitored and their weight checked regularly. People had access to a wide range of health and social care professionals to meet their health needs.
People told us the staff were caring, kind and gentle. We observed warm conversations between staff and people at the service. People were not rushed and their privacy and dignity was respected. Throughout the inspection we saw examples of care being provided by enthusiastic staff that were focussed on people’s individual needs. Relatives told us they had found somewhere with a sense of community. Professionals commented on the distinctive caring ethos and a health professional remarked on the importance staff placed on person centred care. People told us they were involved in the planning and review of their care. People’s end of life care was sensitively and appropriately managed.
People’s needs were assessed to ensure they could be safely met. They received planned care and support that met their needs. There was a regular activities programme with a range of group and individual activities on offer. We observed activities were well attended and enjoyed. Some people had formed a group that met for a social tea.
People, their relatives and staff all told us the service was well led. The management team looked for ways for the service to improve and linked with the local authority for training and support. The views of people at the service, relatives, staff and visiting professionals were sought and used to make improvements. People knew how and where to complain if they had a problem. There had been no formal complaints since the last inspection. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and areas identified that needed action were followed up promptly.
At our visit we found that people and relatives were involved in the care, and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes and the legal requirements. Staff were recruited appropriately and people experienced care that met their needs. There were appropriate quality monitoring measures in place and feedback was obtained from people who used the service, their relatives, staff and other professionals involved in the delivery of care.
staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the
quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part
of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people living in care homes
are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met.
The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector joined by an Expert by Experience,
people who have experience of using services and who can provide that perspective.
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a specific way
of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with
us.
People said they were happy and felt safe at the home. A relative of a person using the service described the home as 'excellent' and said, 'the staff here are very caring'. The people we spoke with said that staff were kind and looked after their needs. They told us they were happy and satisfied with the service.
However, on our visit we found a number of concerns with the cleanliness and infection control, and safety and suitability of premises. For these areas we have asked for immediate improvement.