Archived: Stanley Burn

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

People were cared for in an environment that was safe and well maintained. There were enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home but there were gaps in management and ancillary cover. A compliance action has been set in relation to this and the provider must tell us how they plan to improve.

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. Proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made. One application had been submitted

Is the service effective?

People and visitors told us they were happy with the care provided at the home. One person told us, "The care is excellent and the food is lovely. They treat me and my husband with respect. We are both very happy with it here." It was clear from our observations and from talking with staff that they had a good understanding of the people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. Staff had received training to meet the needs of the people living at the home. Other specialists were used to support staff to deliver effective care.

Is the service caring?

Another person said, "Oh yes they treat us well here." A visitor told us, "I am very happy with the home, I feel welcome and the staff keep me informed." A second visitor said, "The staff are very nice. The home has a very relaxed, calm atmosphere. I feel better for coming to visit." We saw staff treated people with respect and their interactions were warm and kindly.

Is the service responsive?

People's needs had been assessed and records confirmed people's preferences. Care and support was planned and provided in accordance with their needs. People had access to activities that were important to them and were supported to maintain relationships with their friends and relatives. We saw that people could make individual requests regarding meals and these were responded to by the staff in a positive manner.

Is the service well led?

Since the home was registered with The Care Quality Commission (The Commission) in 2010 the home has had two registered managers. The second registered manager cancelled their registration with us in June 2014, having left the service earlier in the year. A new manager was appointed but left the service on 17 July 2014. The home did not have a manager at the time of our visit and the deputy, who we were told was covering for the manager, was working on rota on the day of our visit. After our visit we were informed by the provider's regional manager that a new manager had been appointed and would be taking up post on 29 September and would be applying to register with The Commission on that date. Failure to do will result in The Commission taking further action. Staff demonstrated confidence and a good understanding of their roles. Quality assurance processes were in place but the recent loss of two managers had resulted in delays in implementing improvements.

People told us, "I am really happy here, it is lovely. The staff are kind" and "I am very happy I have some good friends for company."

We spoke with visiting relatives, one said, "My mam has been here for four years and I cannot speak highly enough about this home. The staff are great. My mam always looks well cared for whenever I come to visit." Another relative said, "We just have to tell you how much we appreciate this home, all the staff are wonderful, nothing is too much trouble. Mum is very happy and so are we."

We found medicines were managed in a safe way.

The premises had undergone improvement and provider a warm, comfortable and clean environment. People told us, "The changes have been good and we have been involved."

We saw that staff had undergone suitable training and received support. Staff told us, "Lots of training, I really enjoy it" and "I love working here."

We saw the manager undertook audits of the services provided. There were arrangements in place to gain additional feedback about the service provided from service user/relative meetings and survey data.

We did not seek the views of people at this follow up inspection. We found the outstanding compliance actions had been met and that people were no longer at risk of inadequate nutrition and dehydration. Staff had received training in food hygiene, healthy eating and nutrition. Records were sufficiently accurate to ensure people received safe and appropriate care and treatment.