Starmount Villa Residential Care Home

Updated 23 February 2024

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Starmount Villa is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Starmount Villa is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we spoke with 9 people who live at Starmount Villa and the relatives of 6 people. We spoke with 5 staff. This included the registered manager, 3 care staff and the cook. We also spoke with the provider and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. Feedback was also received from a health care professional visiting the home.

Updated 23 February 2024

About the service

Starmount Villa Residential Home provides personal care and accommodation for up to 30 people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 30 people living in the home.

People’s experience of the service and what we found:

People and their relatives spoke highly of the management and staff and the quality of care and support they received. People were supported to follow routines of their choosing. Activities and opportunities were provided both in and away from the home offering variety to people’s day as well as promote their well-being. Staff knew people well and were described as caring and respectful. Our observations supported what we had been told.

Care plans were personalised with information about people’s individual needs and wishes. Where risks had been identified these had been assessed and planned for. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Meals times were a social occasion and people were encouraged to attend the dining room and meet with their friends. People said a good choice of meals were provided, which they enjoyed. Kitchen staff understood the dietary needs of people and additional advice and support was sought where people were at nutritional risk.

People’s health and wellbeing were regularly monitored with the involvement of relevant health care professionals. Safe systems were in place for the management and administration of people’s medicines.

Safe recruitment procedures were in place. Good staffing levels were provided, with clear designated roles and responsibilities. Staffing levels were kept under review to ensure changing needs were appropriately met. Staff received relevant training and support to carry out their role and responsibilities.

Suitable arrangements were in place to ensure the premises and equipment were kept safe. Good hygiene standards were maintained, and relevant guidance was adhered to help minimise the risk of cross infection.

Systems were in place to monitor and review the quality of service provided. The management team had identified areas of improvement to further enhance the service. Staff, people, and their relatives said they were confident in the management and leadership at the home and felt any issues brought to their attention would be addressed.

Systems and processes were in place to deal with any safeguarding concerns and complaints. People and their visitors said they felt able to raise any issues with the staff team.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 22 February 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow Up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.