Background to this inspection
Updated
9 December 2017
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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 6 and 9 November 2017 the first day of which was unannounced.
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
We reviewed information we held about the service. We looked at our own system to see if we had received any concerns or compliments about the provider. We analysed information on statutory notifications we had received from the provider. A statutory notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We asked the local authority and Healthwatch for any information they had which would aid our inspection. We used any feedback as part of our planning.
We spoke with three people, one visitor, the registered manager, one nurse, two cooks, one cleaner, three care staff and the finance manager. We looked at the care and support plans for two people, records of quality checks, accident and incidents records and medicine administration. In addition we also looked at records relating to infection prevention and control records and details of quality checks completed by the provider. We confirmed the safe recruitment of two staff members.
We spent time in the communal areas observing how people were supported by staff members.
Updated
9 December 2017
This inspection took place on 6 and 9 November 2017 and was unannounced on day one.
Ellesmere Community Nursing Home provides nursing and personal care for up to 9 people. Prior to this inspection the provider had made the decision close Ellesmere Community Nursing Home. As a result people were in the process of moving to alternative accommodation and care provision. It was on day one of this inspection that we were informed of the imminent home closure. At the end of day two of this inspection three people were living there.
A registered manager was in post and present throughout this inspection. 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 were kept safe from the potential harm of abuse or ill-treatment as staff knew how to recognise and respond to such concerns. People were supported by enough staff to meet their needs and who responded to them promptly.
The provider followed safe recruitment procedures when employing new staff members. People were assisted with their medicines safely by staff who were deemed competent to do so.
The provider had infection prevention and control systems in place including staff link persons and cleaning schedules.
People were supported to have enough to eat and drink to maintain health. People were supported by a kind and respectful staff team. Staff members knew those they supported well and respected their privacy and dignity. People were encouraged to be as independent as they felt able to be.
People received care from staff that had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. New staff members received an induction to their role and were equipped with the skills they needed to work with people. Staff attended training that was relevant to the people they supported and any additional training needed to meet people’s needs was provided.
People took part in social activities they found enjoyable and stimulating. People had access to facilities in their local community including areas of interest, shops and health care facilities.
People were involved in the development of their care and support plans which were individual to them. People received care from staff members who knew their individual likes and dislikes and histories. People and their relatives were encouraged to raise any issues or concerns. The management team had systems in place to address any concerns or complaints.
People had regular contact with the registered manager whom they found approachable. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of support given and to make changes when needed.
People’s rights were maintained by staff members who were aware of current guidance and legislation directing their work. People were involved in decisions about their care and had information they needed in a way they understood.
Staff received support and guidance from a management team who they found approachable. People and staff felt able to express their views and felt their opinions mattered.