The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Tropicana Residential Home

Newquay Road, St Columb, Cornwall, TR9 6TJ (01637) 880779

Provided and run by:
Mr & Mrs M Westbrook

All Inspections

16 April 2013

During a routine inspection

On the day of the inspection, we spoke with five of the six people who currently lived at Tropicana Residential Home. People were all positive about the care and support they received. The home was clean, odour free, well maintained, well furnished and decorated to a good standard. We had some concerns regarding health and safety precautions.

We were concerned how the building was being used by staff and about care planning processes. There was no evidence of any quality assurance system in place. We had significant concerns regarding staff recruitment procedures and the provision of staff training. There were some concerns regarding staffing levels in the afternoon and evening.

We completed this inspection in response to information of concern provided by the local authority. We had been told the service was now provided by another organisation which was not registered to provide any regulated activities at this location. This was the case. The Care Quality Commission had not been informed by the registered provider (Mr and Mrs Westbrook) of their intention to cease providing a service, or had received an application from the new provider to register to provide a service from this location. The new provider had operated the home since January 2013. The Care Quality Commission has written to both parties requiring them to urgently submit applications regarding the home's registration. Will will closely monitor this situation.

8 May 2012

During a routine inspection

We reviewed all the information we hold about this provider, carried out a visit on 9 May 2012, observed how people were being cared for, talked with people who use services and their relatives, talked with staff and other agency professionals, and checked records. We spoke with the registered providers of the care home.

We talked with five people who lived in the home although 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 being helpful. Comments from people who lived in the care home included "I couldn't be in a better place", "we feel like family" and "this is a fantastic home". Another person told us 'they were in charge of their day, and could choose how to spend their time'.

We saw that residents were spoken with in an adult, attentive, respectful, and caring way. People talked with staff during personal care and when being assisted. We saw and heard one staff member take the time to explain what would happen next for a person waiting for some test results.

We found that the home was clean and there were no offensive odours. At the time of this inspection there were five people living in the care home and five staff were employed, not including the registered providers and their daughter.