Archived: Dunsland House

We found that the people were cared for in relaxed, comfortable environment.. We observed care and had sight of all the people in the home. We saw affection and good interaction between the staff and the people. People we spoke with said 'We are well taken care of' and the staff are 'lovely but sometimes very busy.' There was a homely atmosphere, the staff knew the people well and were able to meet their needs appropriately

Is the service responsive?

We were told by the people who lived in the home that 'the staff will do anything for you as soon as you ask'. We saw that staff were vigilant at all times and were ready to respond to the wishes and needs of the people. People who were confined to bed had staff visits every regularly to ensure they were comfortable but did not always have time and for 'a chat'. We were told that calls for assistance were responded to in a timely manner.

Is the service safe?

We saw that there was sufficient numbers of staff rostered on duty to meet the needs of people. We found that there was a robust recruitment procedure in place and the required checks had been carried out before an offer of employment had been made. We saw that staff were aware of risk management and the balance between promoting independence and keeping people safe. We saw that the premises were secure. Staff had been trained to recognise and respond to signs and allegations of abuse.

Is the service effective?

We looked at the care plans of four people and found that they had been involved in the decision about their care and how they wanted it delivered, including their wishes for end of live care. We saw that care plans gave detailed instructions to staff to ensure the care they gave was effective. We saw that people who had long periods of inaction were protected from the risk of developing pressure areas. People told us that they were happy with their care they received. They said that they were always consulted about the care and support they needed to maintain and promote their health and wellbeing.

Is the service well led?

The home was managed in the best interests of the people who live there. Staff told us that the manager was available to them should they need assistance. Staff had received all the relevant training so that they were knowledgeable and skilled in in all aspects of care delivery. The people we spoke with told us that the manager was always there and should they need anything they only have to ask. However, we noted that the d'cor within the home had become 'shabby' and was in need of extensive re-decoration.

We saw that care plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed and updated. During our inspection we saw that staff were knowledgeable about people's needs and promoted their independence. During our discussions with staff we found that they had a good understanding and awareness of people's care needs and preferences.

We talked with people who lived in the home. One person told us 'The staff are very polite, they respect my wishes.' Another person told us 'The staff are very good, no complaints in 10 years here.'

We saw that medicines were stored, administered and disposed of correctly.

Staff told us that they had participated in regular training, which had enabled them to gain the skills and knowledge required to support people who used the service. Staff told us they felt supported by their managers. They told us that there is a management on-call system in place in the event that they required support or advice when the manager was not in on the premises.

We found that the staff were very respectful to the people and cared for them in a manner that promoted their dignity and independence. We saw staff laugh and joke with the people.

All of the people had their care needs assessed and reviewed on a regular basis. Staff members were key worker to one of the people who lived in the home. This allowed the staff member to build up a relationship with the person and to understand their care needs and their social needs. It also made it easier for the people to make their needs known as they had a chance to build up a relationship with the staff member.

The home had a very low turnover of staff. The staff we saw were trained to recognise and meet the care needs of the people who lived at Dunndland House. We noted that staffing levels were sufficient and the manager told us that if the needs of the people changed the staffing levels would be adjusted.

The people told us that they felt safe living at Dunsland House.