The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Whitehaven Care Home

Fosseway, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Avon, BA3 4AU (01761) 413143

Provided and run by:
Quality Care Homes Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

We found that the provider had made substantive improvements to address the areas of non compliance. These included a revised medicines policy, new arrangements for the administering of medicines, updated training and competency assessments of staff.

We saw that since our visit audits had been undertaken which resulted in identifying and making further improvements in the management of medicines in the home.

12 April 2013

During a routine inspection

People told us they were treated with respect and their privacy was respected. We saw that people had an opportunity to comment on the quality of the care they received. One person told us, "I like living here we all get the care we need, you cannot fault the staff".

We saw that care planning was comprehensive identifying the needs of people living in the home. People told us that staff were responsive and "helpful and kind". We observed staff supporting an individual with their meal in a sensitive and supportive way. However there was a lack of staff availability during the lunchtime period.

There were the required arrangements and facilities in place to protect people from risks of infection. Staff had the necessary knowledge and skills in protecting people from the risks of infection and provided a clean hygienic environment.

We found that the storage and practice of giving medicines to people potentially put people's health and welfare at risk. There were satisfactory arrangements for the storage and use of controlled drugs. There were gaps in the home's policy and procedure around the management of medicines.

We found that following management and staff changes there had been a period of poor morale. However morale had improved and staff were positive about the approach and practice of the new manager. Staff received the necessary training but one to one meetings were an area for improvement.

The provider had responded professionally to complaints.

10 September 2012

During a routine inspection

Throughout our visit we spoke with seven people who lived in the home. People we spoke with told us that they had the opportunity to make choices. One person told us; "I choose what time I get up and go to bed". People told us they were always informed and asked before anything was done. A relative spoken with said that they were 'always kept well informed and made aware of all issues.'

We saw that staff supported people with dignity and respect. Some people told us that they were sometimes "bored" and would like more to do.

We found that the information we read in the care plans was person centred and explained people likes and dislikes. We saw that where people had clinical care such as wounds or a urinary catheter the care plan did not contain sufficient detail.

People at the home told us that they felt safe. Staff had a good understanding of what to do if they saw bad practise or were concerned about the welfare of people at the home.

Hand washing facilities in parts of the home were not sufficient. This could increase the risk of the spread of infection.

Staff had received training appropriate to their role. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people at the home.

The provider has systems in place to seek the views of people who use the service.

3 October 2011

During a routine inspection

People living in the home made the following comments about life at Whitehaven - 'we are all one big happy family here', 'we get asked about the meals and the entertainment' and 'the staff are very kind to me and treat me well. I couldn't ask them to do any more for me'.

People told us that they were happy with the care they were provided with and that their individual care needs were met. 'I am very well looked after, the staff could not do a better job', 'I get all the help I need' and 'I have no complaints and no worries'.

People appeared very relaxed in the company of staff and there was a good rapport between the staff and the people who live in the home.

People told us that they have resident meetings and are asked for their views about the meal and activities. 'On a Wednesday someone chooses the lunch', 'I have no complaints and no worries' and 'the staff make this our home'.