Archived: The White House

Updated 30 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 10 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 30 March 2021

This inspection took place on 20 February 2018 and was unannounced which meant the service did not know in advance we were coming.

The White House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. The White House is registered with CQC to accommodate up to 28 people. At the time of this inspection, 23 people were accommodated, four people were in hospital and the home had one vacancy.

The White House is a large detached property set in its own grounds, with parking space to the front of the home. The home has a private patio area and garden at the rear of the property which is enclosed at all sides. The home is situated in a residential area of Northenden, within easy reach of the motorway network, public transport and local shops.

At our last inspection we rated the service ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

The service had 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.

People told us they felt safe living at The White House. Staff received safeguarding training and knew how to keep people safe and raise concerns if they suspected someone was at risk of harm or abuse.

People had comprehensive risk assessments which were reviewed and updated in a timely way to meet people’s changing needs. This ensured staff had access to the relevant information and guidance to mitigate risks.

Staffing levels remained consistent and the home benefited from a stable workforce. People, relatives and staff told us there were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

The management of medicines was safe. There were appropriate arrangements in place to ensure that medicines had been ordered, stored, received and administered appropriately.

The service had a training matrix to monitor the training requirements of staff. Staff received appropriate training, supervision and appraisal to support them in their role.

People were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).

People were encouraged to make decisions and choices about their care and had their choices respected.

People's consent to care and treatment was sought prior to care being delivered.

People were encouraged to maintain a healthy nutritionally balanced diet and had access to sufficient amounts to eat and drink, at times that suited them. People's health care needs were monitored and maintained; people had access to health care services as and when needed.

People continued to receive care and support from staff that were kind, caring and compassionate.

People were treated with dignity and respect and had their independence promoted by staff that openly expressed their fondness for the people they cared for and supported.

Care plans were person centred and tailored to meet people's individual needs. People were encouraged to be involved in the development of their care plans, which were updated regularly to reflect people's changing needs.

A variety of activities were provided and staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s needs and adapted activities to reflect people’s individual interests.

The provider had a complaints procedure in place and people felt confident in raising concerns or complaints to staff and the registered manager.

Staff told us the home was well-led and a good place to work. We were told by staff, people and their relatives that the registered manager was visible, had an open door policy and was approachable which meant people, their relatives and staff could meet with the registered manager as and when they needed.

There was an effective system for audit and quality assurance to monitor the service provided. Audits or checks were completed by the registered manager on records, including medicines, accidents, risk assessments, care plans and daily records.