Westport Care Home

Westport Care Home was purpose-built and consisted of four floors. People were provided with their own bedroom and en-suite bathroom, with communal lounges and dining rooms located on the three floors used to accommodate people. The provider had constructed a visiting pod last year, which could be directly accessed via the garage entrance.

We found the following examples of good practice.

¿Safe practices were in place for visitors to the service, for example relatives and friends, health and social care professionals and maintenance contractors. The procedures to enter the building included a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test or evidence of having taken one prior to arrival, a temperature check, scrutiny of evidence of vaccinations and applying personal protective equipment (PPE) assigned by a designated staff member at the reception area.

¿Staff were provided with ample supplies of PPE, which included masks, hand sanitiser, gloves and aprons. PPE stations were positioned around the premises and clinical bins were provided to enable staff to safely dispose of used items. The management team carried out regular checks to ensure staff followed correct practices for donning and doffing PPE and maintaining meticulous hand hygiene. Staff confirmed their infection prevention and control (IPC) training was detailed and helpful.

¿A regular system for testing for COVID-19 was established for people using the service and staff. Robust procedures were implemented to ensure new people were safely admitted to the service, in line with current government guidance. The service did not use agency staff, which reduced the risk of infection as it lowered the number of individuals entering and leaving the premises. Staff were trained to work in both personal care and domestic roles. This enabled the registered manager and deputy to flexibly roster employees when required to ensure people received a consistent service from staff they were familiar with.

¿The provider effectively utilised easy read posters and documents to support people to understand why it was necessary for staff to wear PPE. The management team had liaised with local health and social care professionals to develop plans to sensitively support people who were living with dementia and/or people who were anxious. This included approaches to enable people to continue to walk around the premises if they found this relaxing and therapeutic, while ensuring infection risks were recognised and managed.

Westport Care Home accommodates people in one building across four floors, with each person having their own bedroom and en-suite bathroom. There were shared communal living and dining areas between the ground and first floor and the second and third floor. There was a main kitchen and garden, along with a basement area which accommodated a visiting 'pod'. This could be accessed externally so visitors did not need to enter the home.

We found the following examples of good practice.

¿ There were detailed guidelines in place for visitors upon entry, with temperatures taken and a health questionnaire to be completed. There was also a requirement to take a lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 test before entering the home. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was available for visitors with guidelines to follow on how to put on and dispose of the PPE, with hand sanitiser available in the reception and basement areas.

¿ The provider had been proactive and had created a 'visiting pod' in the basement area, in line with current government guidelines. This was managed via an appointment booking system for set times and limited numbers of visitors at one time, to avoid potential infection transmission with other visitors. People were also supported with in-person visits in the home along with being supported to stay in touch with their friends and relatives via phone and video calls.

¿ Easy read guidance and documentation was made available to help explain to people about the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for staff to wear PPE. This helped to reduce any anxieties caused by this and helped staff to communicate more effectively. The provider had also worked closely with health and social care professionals and had advice and guidance to help staff support people who were living with dementia and walked with purpose and how they could manage and reduce any related infection risks.

¿ The provider was conscious of the impact of the pandemic on staff wellbeing and provided staff access to a confidential employee assistance helpline, including counselling support if needed. This was available 24/7 and posters were displayed within the staff room to remind them about the further support that was available if needed. There were also posters displayed with advice and tips for staff to help manage their physical and mental wellbeing.

¿ Staff were positive about the support they had received, especially during challenging periods throughout the pandemic. Staff praised the work environment and dedicated attitude of their colleagues. Comments included, "We are like a family here, everybody has stuck together and we have never felt like we have been alone" and "We have had the training, get lots of support and always have enough PPE. The management team have always been available if we have ever needed anything."

At the last inspection which took place on 9 and 10 May 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Westport Care Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Westport Care Centre is a residential care home and provides personal care and dementia care for 42 older people. The home is a large detached building and the accommodation is set out over four floors.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

We received positive feedback from people and their relatives about the caring and friendly attitude of staff. Staff demonstrated that they knew people well and understood their preferences and how they wanted to be cared for. Feedback about the registered manager was also positive, with relatives telling us they would not hesitate to approach her if they wanted to discuss anything. The registered manager had an open-door policy where people felt able to come and speak with her if they wanted to.

There were robust recruitment procedures in place and newly employed staff received a through induction to the service. Staff training was up to date and this was achieved through refresher training that was offered on a regular basis. Staff told us they felt supported and were able to provide feedback through supervisions and feedback surveys.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received appropriate support in relation to their medicines and general health care needs. Care plans supported this practice.

The service was proactive in responding to complaints or any incidents and accidents. Learning took place following these which demonstrated the providers’ commitment to improving.

The provider worked collaboratively with external stakeholders to provide joined up care to people.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Westport Care Centre is a residential care home and provides personal care and dementia care for 42 older people. The home is a large detached building and the accommodation is set out over four floors. All the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms in addition to shared bathrooms. There was a large garden and comfortable lounge areas.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

Staff had a good understanding of the safeguarding procedures and followed protection plans to minimise the risk of harm to people. Prevention measures had been put in place to minimise future re-occurrences of any incidents.

Thorough recruitment checks were completed to assess the suitability of the staff employed.

The home had good infection control measures in place. Regular testing and servicing of equipment was carried out.

People’s medicines were managed safely by trained staff. There was a robust procedure in place for the administration, storage and disposal of medicines.

People were supported to eat a well-balanced diet and their nutritional and hydration needs were met.

Staff received training that was reflective of the needs of the people who used the service.

Consent to care and treatment was sought in line with relevant legislation and guidance on best practice. People had access to healthcare and had no difficulty accessing support with their health care needs.

The provider held ‘my special days’, to help best understand how the staff could meet people’s wishes.

People were included in specific activities to help reduce social isolation and loneliness.

The registered manager promoted a work culture that was family orientated and that put people first. Relatives and people spoke positively about staff that supported them in the home.

Relatives’ discussions were held and people were informed of changes to the service, people’s views were sought on how their care should be delivered.

The service benchmarked best practice to review the delivery of care against current guidance. Complaints had been responded to appropriately when they were raised.

We have made a recommendation about recording person centred care in people’s care records.

We asked people how well staff support them. One person told us, 'staff are really helpful in that respect, if I am stuck [with lack of transport] then staff will help me which is great.' Another person told us, 'the staff have been marvellous.' They also said "sometimes I can be a bit unsteady on my feet, staff always take their time with me, I have a great respect for staff here.' A relative told us they are were happy with how their relative was cared for and the communication they had with staff. They felt their relative was safe and said, 'the slightest little thing and they are on the phone to let me know.'

Meals met the nutritional needs of people using the service and they were provided with enough to drink.

Medicine were administered safely and audited to ensure that the procedures staff used remained effective.

Staff were well trained and had regular opportunities to keep up to date with core skills and to seek further qualifications.