10 October 2018
During a routine inspection
Kingston House is situated in a quiet residential area and is close to the seafront and amenities. The premises are on two floors with each person having their own individual bedroom and communal areas are available within the service. At the time of our inspection, eight people were using the service.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 our last inspection in April 2016, we rated the service ‘Good’ with the key question ‘Is the service Safe?’ requiring improvement. At this inspection, we found that the service was no longer rated as ‘Good.’
At this inspection we identified breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.
Improvements were needed to ensure that all risks from the environment and to people's health, safety and welfare were effectively assessed and action taken as required.
People’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of staff, however their deployment required review to ensure that people were stimulated and engaged.
The environment required further development to ensure that it was appropriately designed and adapted to meet people’s needs. We have made a recommendation that the service explores current guidance from a reputable source on improving the design and decoration of accommodation and the engagement of people living with dementia.
Care plans had not been reviewed and updated as people’s needs changed and did not reflect peoples’ current support needs. We have made a recommendation that the service consults guidance to further develop the Accessible Information Standard (AIS).
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, however staff would benefit from additional training to develop their understanding.
End of life planning required further improvement. We have made a recommendation that the service consults a reputable source to further develop end of life planning.
Audits of the service were not being completed to check that the service provided high quality care and that records were up to date.
People were cared for by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. There were systems in place to minimise the risk of infection. Medication was administered safely and by staff who had received training to do so.
People were cared for and supported by staff who knew them well and who had received training to support people to meet their needs. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences. People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to other health professionals were made when required.
Staff, people and their relatives spoke very highly of the registered manager.