Victoria House

Updated 4 February 2023

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

2 inspectors, a pharmacist specialist, a specialist nurse advisor and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. 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

Victoria House 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. Victoria House is a care home with 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

This 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with 5 people who used the service and 3 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with and received feedback from 12 members of staff including the registered manager, the deputy manager, a clinical lead, 3 nurses, 4 care / support workers, the administrator and the activities co-ordinator.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 10 people’s care records, 3 staff recruitment files and multiple medicine records. A variety of documents relating to the management of the service, including policies, audits and training records, were reviewed.

Updated 4 February 2023

About the service

Victoria House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 68 people. The service provides support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia. The service also supports younger adults who are experiencing mental health conditions in an adjacent building known as Regent House. The support provided at Regent House has the aim of enabling people to move onto living independently. Each building has its own separate facilities.

At the time of our inspection there were 45 people using the service. Not everyone who used the service received a regulated activity, such as personal or nursing care. CQC only inspects where people receive a regulated activity.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People’s medicines were managed safely but improvements were needed within the records for creams, patches, when required medicines and covert medicines. We have made two recommendations around this.

People were kept safe from the risk of abuse. Risks to people were appropriately assessed, monitored and managed. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s individual needs. There were enough staff to safely support people and staff were recruited safely. There were appropriate infection prevention and control procedures in place.

The service was well-led, and staff were passionate about their roles. Staff were well supported and felt valued. There were effective governance procedures in place and audits identified areas which needed improvement. Action plans were implemented and monitored until completed. Staff engaged well with professionals and made referrals where appropriate. People, relatives and staff were given opportunities to provide feedback.

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 October 2020).

Why we inspected

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

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Recommendations

We have recommended the provider consider reviewing the guidance and records kept for creams, patches and when required medicines.

We have recommended the provider consider reviewing the guidance for people who have medicines administered covertly.

Follow up

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