Archived: Revitalise Ellerslie Court

Revitalise Ellerslie Court is a Victorian House that has been converted into a Care Home providing accommodation and personal care for up to fourteen adults with a physical disability.

The home provides accommodation over four floors with the use of a passenger lift. Communal areas are on the ground floor and consist of a dining room, two sitting rooms and a conservatory. There are a range of aids and adaptations to aid people with a range of physical disabilities.

Ellerslie Court has fourteen single rooms, two of which have en-suite facilities.

A registered manager was not in post, however, a new provider was in the process of purchasing Ellerslie Court, and they had recruited a manager who was in the process of registering.

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.

Some of the audits relating to the running of the home had not been completed in accordance with the provider’s schedule. Medication audits and care plan audits were being completed weekly, and we received assurances the auditing process would be addressed when the new provider took over the home.

Everyone we spoke with told us they liked living at the home and felt safe.

People received their medicines as prescribed and safe practices had been followed in the administration and recording of medicines.

People confirmed there were enough staff available to meet their needs, people were not rushed or pressured when being supported. Some of the staff had been in post for more than five years.

External safety checks by contractors were taking place.

We observed staff delivering support with kindness. They knew people well and were aware of their history, preferences and dislikes. People’s privacy and dignity were upheld. Staff monitored people’s health and welfare needs and acted on issues identified.

People had been referred to healthcare professionals when needed.

People told us there were enough suitably trained staff to meet their individual care needs. Staff were only appointed after a thorough recruitment process. Staff were available to support people to go on trips or visits within the local and wider community and attend medical appointments. People were also support to pursue hobbies and other personal interests.

The deputy manager and the staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated legislation and had taken appropriate steps to ensure people exercised choice were possible. Where people did not have capacity, this was documented appropriately and decisions were made in their best interest with the involvement of family members where appropriate and relevant health care professionals. This showed the provider understood and was adhering to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.This is legislation to protect and empower people who may not be able to make their own decisions.

The provider was meeting their requirements set out in the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS is part of the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

People’s bedrooms were individually decorated to their own tastes. People showed us their bedrooms and were proud of them.

Most people except one person told us they liked the food. We observed there was a choice of menu for people if they did not like what was prepared that day.

People who lived at the home, their relatives and other professionals had been involved in the assessment and planning of their care. Care records were detailed and gave staff the information they required so that they were aware of how to meet people’s needs.

There was a complaints procedure in place and people felt confident to raise any concerns either with the staff, the deputy manager or the registered manager.

Most staff were trained and skilled in accordance with the provider’s requirements. The deputy manager told us some training had lapsed, however this was in the process of being addressed.

Staff said they benefited from regular one to one supervision and appraisal from their manager. Staff spoke highly about the deputy manager.

There was a safeguarding and a whistleblowing policy in place, which staff were familiar with

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

Safeguarding procedures were robust and staff members understood how to keep people who lived at the care home safe at all times. A fire emergency occurred during our inspection and staff assisted all people to `places of safety` in a controlled and efficient manner until the emergency was over.

The care home was safe, clean and hygienic. We saw quality audits which showed all equipment was well-maintained and serviced regularly which protected all people from any unnecessary risk.

The recruitment policy at the care home was thorough. All potential employees underwent the required safety checks which ensured only suitable people were employed at the care home. This ensured the safety and welfare of all people living at the care home.

Is the service effective?

We observed care plans which showed people living at the care home were involved in writing them. Their `likes and dislikes` and wishes and preferences were recorded in a person centred way which helped meet their needs.

Any special mobility aids and equipment had been supplied and had been fully maintained which ensured the safety of all people at the care home.

We spoke with several family visitors who confirmed they could visit at `anytime and always made to feel welcome.` We were also told they could visit people in private in their own rooms or use communal areas to suit their needs.

Is the service caring?

We spent time in communal areas and observed staff members providing safe and appropriate care and support. We could see that all staff had a good knowledge of the needs of all people living at the care home. This meant all people received appropriate care when they needed it.

People living at the care home had their choices recorded which ensured they received support that met their individual needs. One person said, "It could not be better here" while another commented, "I always feel safe and well looked after."

Is the service responsive?

People living at the care home were able to attend residents meetings every other month if they wished to. We could see that any concerns or suggestions had been acted on in line with the person`s wishes.

People we spoke to, which included family visitors, told us they knew how to make a complaint if necessary. One said, "I would simply see the manager or one of the staff and speak to them." People living at the home and their families were confident their complaints would be listened to and action would be taken if necessary.

Is the service well-led?

We observed evidence of meetings for people living at the home and staff members. These were held every month which provided the opportunity for people and staff to express their views in relation to how care and support should be provided. People told us, "We do get listened to and any suggestions are taken on board."

The provider showed us reports of both internal and external audits that had been carried out at the care home. We were told the intention was to provide a better quality of care to all people living at the home while keeping them safe.

All incidents and accidents had been recorded at the care home. We observed a comprehensive complaints system was in place. A complaint we viewed had been documented and completed within an acceptable time-frame to everyone`s satisfaction.

During the inspection we looked at care planning, the environment, staffing and how the home was being run. We also observed care practices during the day and talked with residents about what it was like to live there. Comments were positive and included, 'I have been here for years its home from home to me'. Also, 'Everyone has made me feel welcome. It's a lovely place to live.'

People we spoke with who lived at the home told us they could express their views and were involved in making decisions about their care. They told us they felt listened to when discussing their care needs. Staff confirmed to us they also involved people to ensure they received the right care and support. One resident we spoke with said, 'I feel they involve me in everything.' A staff member told us they thought it was very important residents were involved in all aspects of their care.

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