• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Sandycroft Nursing Home

366-368 Lytham Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY4 1DW (01253) 349400

Provided and run by:
Taskers (Blackpool) Limited

All Inspections

15 April 2014

During a routine inspection

The inspection was led by one inspector. Information we gathered during the inspection helped answer our five questions; Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service well led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.

If you wish to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. People told us they felt safe. 'The staff can't do enough for us'.

Systems were in place to make sure that managers and staff learn from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints, concerns and whistleblowing investigations. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve. The manager told us they take all incidents seriously and gave examples of where they had used experiences of incidents to adapt change. For example, making changes to menus to ensure people were provided with a more balanced diet.

The home had policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Although no applications had needed to be submitted there had been 'best interest' meetings taking place and recorded to ensure peoples choices were being respected and actioned. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made and in how to submit one. This meant that people would be safeguarded as required.

Maintenance service certificates were in place and up to date to ensure systems in the home were safe.

Is the service effective?

Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans where required. This included specialist nutrition such as 'peg feeds', which ensured people who were unable to take a normal diet received nutritional aids to meet their needs.

People we spoke with told us the service was flexible to meet their individual needs. 'It suits what I want and the way I want to live. It's a nice place to live'

In order to deliver effective care the manager and staff demonstrated an understanding of the individual's needs of people living at the home. Staff we spoke with told us they worked well as a team to ensure peoples needs are being met. One said, 'We work well as a team and information is being passed down all the time'.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. We saw that care workers showed patience and gave encouragement when supporting people. People we spoke with told us, 'All the staff are wonderful, very kind'. Also, 'It's nice to have the same staff around we all know them and they know us'.

People using the home, their relatives, friends and other professionals involved with the service completed six monthly satisfaction surveys. The results were used to inform the development and quality of the service. Any issues highlighted were looked at and responded to in order to ensure the home was meeting quality standards.

People's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.

Is the service responsive?

People completed a range of activities in and outside the service regularly. We saw evidence of daily activities in place and delivered by various staff.

Is the service well-led?

The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received their care in a joined up way. The service has a quality assurance system, records seen by us showed that identified shortfalls were addressed promptly. As a result the quality of the service was continually improving.

Staff told us they were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of the home and quality assurance processes were in place. This helped to ensure people received a good quality service at all times.

There were a range of audits and systems put in place in by the manager and provider to monitor the quality of the service being provided.

2 January 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited Sandycroft to look at how medicines were managed because we found them non compliant at our previous visit in August 2013. We spoke with three people about their medicines and checked the records and medicines of seven people. One person told us ''The staff are great, they look after me well''. Another said ''They help me with my medicines''.

Overall we found improvements had been made and medicines were handled safely.

15 August 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People we spoke with did not raise any concerns about the handling of their medicines. However, we found that the home's medicines policy did not provide complete and clear guidance for staff about all aspect of medicines handling and that the medicines records did not always provide a complete audit trail for medicines handling at the home. This increases the risk of inconsistency in medicines handling at the home.

17 April 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with a range of people about the home. They included the registered manager, staff members and people who lived at the home. We also asked for the views of external agencies in order to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced living at Sandycroft Nursing Home.

We were able to speak with people during the day of the inspection about their care and support. We spent time in areas of the home, including lounges and the dining areas. This helped us to observe the daily routines and gain an insight into how people's care and support was being managed.

We observed staff assisting people who required care and support with personal care. Staff treated people with respect and ensured their privacy when supporting them. They provided support or attention as people requested it.

People we spoke with told us they could express their views and were involved in decision making about their care. We spoke with people about the care and support they received. They said they were happy living at the home and that staff were very caring.

We found concerns around the processes used to administer medication. Best practice guidelines were not being followed properly. This meant there were improvements required, to help make sure medicines were being managed safely.

24 September 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with a range of people about the home. They included the home manager, staff members and people who lived at the home. We also asked for the views of external agencies in order to gain a balanced overview of what people experienced.

People we spoke with told us they could express their views and were involved in decision making about their care. They told us they felt listened to when discussing their care needs. Staff confirmed to us they also involved relatives, where possible to ensure people received the right care and support.

We were able to speak with four people during the day of the inspection about their care and support. We spent time in areas of the home, including lounges and the dining areas. This helped us to observe the daily routines and gain an insight into how people's care and support was being managed.

We observed staff assisting people who required care and support with personal care. Staff treated people with respect and ensured their privacy when supporting them. They provided support or attention as people requested it. We spoke with people about the care and support they received. They said they were happy living at the home and said that staff were polite and kind.