The Care Quality Commission

Archived: St Theresa's Care Centre

St Therese Close, Callington, Cornwall, PL17 7QF (01579) 383488

Provided and run by:
Aldington Group Limited(The)

All Inspections

14 June 2013

During a routine inspection

We (the Care Quality Commission) carried out this inspection as part of our planned review of inspections. We brought this inspection forward following information of concern provided to us. The information related to the care provided and the environment and management of the home.

We talked with seven people who lived at the home. They told us that they were happy with the way they were cared for at St Theresa's Care Centre. Their comments included 'Most of the girls (staff) are really lovely' , 'I have everything I need, if I want a cup of tea in the night they get me one' and 'Staff are lovely, lovely, lovely'.

People told us they were happy with the standard, choice and quality of the meals provided.

People told us that at all times staff treated them kindly and with respect. People told us that they could talk to the registered manager if they had any problems and felt they would be resolved quickly and appropriately.

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because there were appropriate arrangements in place to manage them safely.

The home appeared clean and in good repair.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality and risks of the service being provided.

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We undertook an inspection on 3 and 4 August 2011, when we identified areas where the provider was not fully compliant. All other areas have since been identified as compliant; however the area relating to complaints had not been assessed since that time.

We asked the registered manager to tell us, with supporting evidence, how they had complied with the outcome relating to complaints.

We did not visit the service or speak with people who used the service on this occasion.

2 July 2012

During a routine inspection

We (the Care Quality Commission) carried out this inspection to follow up on what progress had been made with those standards of care which were not compliant with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 at our inspection in January 2012.

We reviewed all the information we held about this provider and carried out a visit on 02 July 2012. We talked with people who use services and relatives, talked with the staff, checked the provider's records, and looked at the care records of six people who use services.

We talked with six people who lived in the home, we were not able to communicate effectively with everyone due to their physical or mental health needs. We saw people's privacy and dignity being respected and staff were being helpful. Comments from people who lived in the care home included, 'I am happy here, I have everything I need' and 'The staff are very kind, I have no complaints', 'food is very good, good choice and plentiful'.

One person told us, 'Staff ask is there anything you need'. People told us that if they had any concerns they would speak to staff and felt confident that appropriate action would be taken.

One person was unhappy with the response times at night when they used the call bell. This issue was addressed at this inspection by the registered manager.

We saw and heard staff speak to people in a way that demonstrated a good understanding by staff of people's choices and preferences. We pathway tracked six people who use the service. Pathway tracking means we looked in detail at the care six people received. We spoke to staff about the care given, looked at records related to them, met with them and observed staff working with them.

We spoke with seven staff members who all told us that staffing levels at the home were adequate and consistent to meet people's needs in a timely way.

We found that the home was clean and there were no offensive odours.

We looked at the auditing systems of the service. We found that auditing systems had been put in place and efforts made by the management of the service to monitor and address issues identified. However some areas of monitoring need to be reviewed to ensure that all areas are monitored and action taken to address any issues identified.

12 January 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People , who were able, told us

'I have no complaints, they are looking after me well'.

'They now wait to come in, they knock and wait'.

'They are punctual when you ring the bell'

'They do ask before giving you care, if they can'.

'Staff come and go, you get used to them and they leave'.

'Staff knock and wait, more than they used to'.

'They have started to come around in the afternoon with a goodies trolley of cake and yoghurt'

'I would like a bit more variety with the food'

'There are more staff available, which is good, but there are still some delays, but there are no problems at night time'.

Visitors to the home told us,

'The staff are very kind, they picked up when my relative was not eating and cater to their needs'.

'The staff are very good and supportive to me'

'They keep me fully informed of any changes'.

A staff member told us 'things are picking up here'.

11 October 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People told us that when they rang the call bell staff still did not always come and they had to wait a long time for staff attention.

One person told us that 'Some staff are nice, some are not so nice'.

People told us again at this inspection that staff are kind but do not always respond quickly when they require assistance. We were told that often call bells are not answered.

One person told us that 'There is nothing to do - I was asked if I wanted to make a pom-pom'.

A person told us that when they wish to self medicate, they are now provided with locakable storage.

Staff told us that they were still carrying water around the home to rooms with no hot water accessible in the room.Staff told us that the staffing levels on days has improved since our last visit but expressed concern that this level of staffing would not be sustained.

Staff told us that they had been given extra work to do and so people were in no better position. They told us 'People have very high needs' and that the high workload meant that 'People have to wait longer'.

23 August 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke with people who use the service during our visit. We were not able to speak with all of the people due to their medical conditions affecting and impairing their ability to communicate. People told us 'the staff are wonderful to me', 'some of the staff are good, some are not so good' and one person said 'I am happy here'. Another person told us that there were aspects of living in the home that could be improved on. Two people said that the staff always seem busy and sometimes they do not get the help they need when they need it. Another person said that the call bells were not answered in a timely way.

We spent a period of time observing a number of people who were not able to communicate with us, and the interactions that staff undertook with these people. This observation took place in the home. We observed that some of these people did not receive adequate fluids during the time of our visit. We also observed that people sat in chairs in the lounge for long periods of time without a change of position or assistance to the toilet.

One person told us that they receive a regular weekly bath. Other people told us that they did not have a bath or shower. One person told us this was their choice but other people were not able to give us a reason for this.

4 August 2011

During a routine inspection

People who were able, told us that the staff are kind but that there is not enough of them to provide their care. Staff also confirmed that they felt there were insufficient staff to meet everybody's needs.

People told us that when they used the call bell it took staff a long time to arrive or 'They don't come'.

People said that the food was of a good quality and that they had a choice of meals.

People who were able told us that if they had any concerns that they could talk to the staff at the home and something would be done.