Background to this inspection
Updated
15 January 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
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
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
Park View Residential Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced. We gave the registered manager a telephone call within an hour of the visit to ensure the correct entrance procedures were followed during the current pandemic.
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 the environmental health team. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information providers we require providers to send us to give us some key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account in when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We briefly spoke with three people living at Park View. One visitor and two staff contacted us with their views about the service. We also spoke with the registered manager and provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed. We made a referral to the local authority environmental health and to the fire and rescue safety team.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
15 January 2021
About the service
Park View Residential Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 11 people aged 65 and over. At the time of this inspection there were 10 people living there. Located in a residential area of Morecambe within easy reach of the promenade and local amenities. On road parking to the side of the home is permitted. There are communal and dining areas on the ground floor. Bedrooms are located on the ground floor and the first floor, which is accessible by a stair lift for the less mobile. Bathrooms and toilets are available on both floors.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were very happy living at Park View. However, our observations and findings showed risks in the environment had not always been addressed in a timely way, specifically where external professionals had made recommendations to take action to reduce risk or make repairs to equipment. People’s individual risks had been appropriately identified and assessed. Where relevant actions to mitigate those risk had been implemented although for some recorded incidents, we could not see what actions had be taken. We have made a recommendation that the provider records all actions taken to protect people and prevent further incidents.
Audits and systems were in place to monitor the service on a regular basis. However, these systems had not been completely effective as we found some concerns relating to the safe management of the premises and equipment. We have made a recommendation that the provider ensures the systems are robust.
There were enough numbers of care staff available on each shift to meet peoples’ needs. However, at the time of our inspection the staff were also responsible for keeping the home clean. The provider was actively recruiting for new cleaning staff. We found some areas within the home that had not been included in the regular deep cleaning process. Infection prevention protocols were in place and we were assured by the measures in place. However, in the current pandemic consideration needs to be given to the crossing over of cleaning of the home and providing personal care to people.
People received their medicines safely and as prescribed. Medicines were stored and managed in a safe way. Safeguarding protocols were in place and staff had received regular training. Checks of suitability had been completed to ensure staff who had been recruited in the last year were fit and proper to work with vulnerable people. 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.
Staff spoke very positively about working at Park View. They told us they thought it was well-led by the management and that people received a very good standard of care. However, we found that the registered manager had limited supernumerary time allocated to perform all the requirements in managing the oversight and quality of the service. We have made a recommendation the provider continuously assess this arrangement.
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 31 October 2018).
Why we inspected
We received concerns in relation to the cleanliness and hygiene practises in the home. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We inspected and found there was a concern with risks associated with the environment and equipment, so we widened the scope of the inspection to become a focused inspection which included the key questions of safe and well-led.
We have found evidence that the registered provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well led sections of this report. The registered provider took immediate action to address some of the concerns and improve the risks found with the kitchen environment and the management of fire safety and equipment.
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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Park View Residential Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Enforcement
We have identified a breach in relation to the safety of the premises and equipment at this inspection and have issued a requirement notice.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.