Stones Place

Updated 29 January 2022

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.

We received information of concern about infection prevention and control measures and visiting arrangements at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures and visiting arrangements the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 19 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one day's notice of the inspection.

Updated 29 January 2022

Stones Place is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Stones Place is located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The home provides residential care and support for up to 42 older people.

At our last inspection in February 2016 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.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

This comprehensive inspection took place on the 18 September 2018 and was unannounced.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People continued to receive a safe service. Staff were recruited in a safe way and were provided with training to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to deliver safe care. Staffing levels were sufficient to safely meet the needs of the people living in the home. Medicines were administered and managed safely. The manager implemented processes and systems to manage risk. Accidents and incidents were monitored and where necessary, actions taken to prevent them from reoccurring.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff were provided with regular training to ensure that they could meet the needs of the people living in the home. This was regularly refreshed and updated. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Food and drink at the home was good quality and plentiful. The home worked together with a range of health and social care professionals to ensure that people’s health and wellbeing were well maintained.

People continued to receive a responsive service. Systems were in place to ensure that people were involved in planning and reviewing their own care and support needs and they were supported by person centred staff who understood their needs and wishes.

People continued to receive a caring service. The atmosphere in the home was inviting and friendly. Staff demonstrated that they had the right balance between being friendly and professional and treated people with respect and kindness. People living in the home were provided with regular opportunities to express their views which were listened to and acted upon. People’s privacy and dignity was respected and promoted.

People continued to receive a well-led service. The registered manager fostered an inclusive team culture, led by example and was visible to the staff and the people living in the home. The provider and registered manager implemented high standards of quality assurance, governance and audit systems, which were used to ensure that shortfalls were identified and improved.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.