11 November 2011
During a routine inspection
We asked people about the care and support provided to them and looked at the care planning documentation to see what guidance was given to staff, to ensure that people received their care as they required to meet their needs. We looked to see if systems were in place to offer this in a safe way. Care plans seen gave a good level of information; were regularly reviewed to ensure they were up to date and assessed risk areas. Relatives said that people's changing needs were identified and that they were kept informed of these changes.
Some people living in the home were very frail and found it difficult to verbally communicate. We therefore spent time observing staff, their attitude to people living there and how they spoke to them. We spoke to their family members to ask their opinion on the services provided.
People spoken with told us that the care provided was 'excellent care.' They said the staff were caring and said that they came and went from the home, 'as if it was Mum's own house.'
We asked people about the quality of the food. Generally people said that the food provided was very good. We saw that people had home cooked food that was balanced to be nutritious and that people with special dietary needs had these catered for.
People said that they were happy with the environment; their personal rooms and communal areas. One person said that the home was 'cosy, warm and clean.' They said 'small is beautiful.'
Staff spoken with told us that they were happy working there, that they received regular supervision to monitor their care practices and had access to training to keep their skills up to date.