The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Cressage House

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

30 St Edwards Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 3DJ (023) 9282 1486

Provided and run by:
Ms S Walker

All Inspections

11 February 2016

During a routine inspection

The inspection took place over one evening and three days on 11, 12 and 29 February 2016, and 17 March 2016 and was unannounced. We undertook a further unannounced visit on 30 January 2017. At our previous inspection in June 2013 we found concerns with the safety and suitability of the premises. A follow up inspection in October 2013 found the necessary improvements had been made in this area.

Cressage House is registered to accommodate up to 14 people. It provides personal

care services without nursing for people with mental ill-health. At the time of our inspection there were 13 people living in the home.

The provider was registered as an individual (sole trader) with direct responsibility for the carrying on of the regulated activity at the location. As a "registered person" they have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. As a consequence they did not need to have a registered manager. There was a manager in post who was not registered with us.

The premises were not maintained to a standard which made sure people were accommodated safely. This was a breach of Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

However people told us they felt safe, and staff had a good understanding of how to protect people from risks to their safety and welfare, including the risks of abuse and avoidable harm. There were sufficient staff deployed to support people safely and the provider carried out the necessary pre-employment checks. Processes were in place to manage people’s medicines safely, although we identified improvements to be made in the processes for medicines prescribed “as required”.

Staff were not supported by a formal system of appraisal and supervision. This was a breach of Regulation 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We also identified improvements to be made in staff training.

Staff were aware of the need to obtain people’s consent to care and support and of their legal responsibilities where people lacked capacity to make decisions about their care and support. People were supported to eat a healthy diet, and had access to external healthcare services when they needed them.

There were caring relationships between people and staff. Staff respected people’s independence, privacy and dignity. However we found examples of language in care and other records which did not reflect what we saw in practice.

People were satisfied the care and support they received met their needs and took into account their wishes and preferences. However we found examples of care plans where improvements were needed. If people raised concerns they were heard and actions were put in place to address them.

There was a caring, friendly atmosphere. Staff and management were motivated by a desire to support people in a respectful way. However informal management processes had not identified areas where the service could be improved. There was no formal process in place to monitor, assess and improve the quality of the service. This was a breach of Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

We identified three breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see the action we told the provider to take at the end of the full version of this report. We also made recommendations about training and managing medicines safely.

4 October 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We found that the provider had taken the necessary action and the hot water temperatures around the home were safe. People spoken with told us they were happy with their accommodation and that they had everything they needed in the home.

Whilst we were in the home we did find some other areas of concern regarding the environment. The provider has told us they are addressing these areas.

25 June 2013

During a routine inspection

People told us they were involved in their care and support planning. One person told us staff were, 'kind and caring' and would not force them to do anything they did not want to do. People told us they felt they were well looked after and were able to do what they wanted when they wanted. People told us they liked the food and always had a choice.

Medication procedures were followed ensuring people received their medication when they needed it. A refusal to take medication was noted and where needed discussed with the relevant professionals.

We did not see all areas of the home as we respected people's choices not to show us their bedroom. The areas we did see were clean and tidy. People told us they liked their home and their bedroom. The temperature of the hot water was not safe in two bedrooms and we have asked the provider to take some action to ensure everyone's safety.

People and staff told us there was enough staff on duty to meet the needs of people living in the home. People told us, 'I like the staff they are caring and know me well'. People told us they would be confident to discuss any complaints they had with any staff members.

11 April 2012

During a routine inspection

Although we did speak with several people that used the service, we were unable to form a judgement about their experiences as they did not possess the mental capacity to accurately describe them.

We spoke with two visitors, one of whom always arrived unannounced. They told us that the privacy and dignity of their relatives was maintained at all times. We observed that people's own space, such as their bedrooms, was respected and staff did not enter without permission. One visitor said that the care given was 'very good' and that people were safe living at the home. Another relative told us that the food served was of a high standard and that staff were 'very caring'. Both relatives felt that any complaints or suggestions they made to staff would be listened to.

We spoke with health and social care professionals who visited the home regularly. They told us that care staff worked well with them and listened to and acted upon advice given to them in order to maintain a satisfactory standard of care.

We also examined the minutes taken of recent residents and relatives meetings and of returned satisfaction questionnaires. We found evidence in them that people and their relatives were able to engage with staff to ensure appropriate care was maintained.

24 June 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

People told us that they were happy with the care they receive and said that staff helped them to do things for themselves. They told us that any help is given in the way that they want. People said that they liked living at Cressage House and they said that they felt safe in the home.

People told us that they like all the staff that supports them and said that the staff are nice and they told us that there was always someone around to help when needed. One person told us 'I have lived in quite a few homes and I am happy here'.

We spoke with a mental health social worker who said that they were satisfied with the care and support provided for people at Cressage House.

Staff told us that they would always respect people's wishes and said that people are involved in all aspects of their lives and that people are actively encouraged to express their views and opinions. Staff spoken with told us that the staffing levels were about right.