Archived: McAuley Mount Residential Care Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) stations and hand sanitiser were available throughout the home. There were enough stocks of PPE. Staff were able to don and doff their PPE safely and had received training in the use of PPE, infection control and hand hygiene. We observed staff and management were using PPE correctly and there were procedures in place to support staff with its use. The correct use of PPE was regularly monitored.

There were effective processes to minimise the risk to people, staff and visitors from catching and spreading infection. These included regular testing of staff and people living in the home and testing of visitors to the home, when restrictions allowed. The health of essential visitors was checked before entering the home.

There were enough staff available to provide people with safe and effective care and support and to provide continuity of support should there be a staff shortage. Staff had access to appropriate support to help them manage their wellbeing should it be required. The registered manager told us staff were valued and appreciated for their hard work and commitment during the pandemic.

The layout of the service and the communal areas were suitable to support social distancing. There was a good standard of cleanliness in all areas of the home. Enhanced cleaning schedules, additional housekeeping hours and adequate ventilation were in place. The atmosphere of the home was peaceful and people looked happy and settled; people were spending time watching television and chatting to staff or each other.

Visiting was subject to government restrictions and a national lockdown was in force. In line with visiting guidance, all visits had been restricted and were only allowed in exceptional circumstances. A secure and safe visiting area had been developed which would help facilitate safe visiting arrangements, when restrictions are eased. There was also clear signage for visitors and PPE available. People were supported to maintain contact with their relatives in different ways including the use of social media, window visits and telephone calls; this assisted in promoting people's emotional wellbeing. Guidance was followed to ensure people were safely admitted to the home during the pandemic.

The provider’s infection prevention and control policies and procedures were up to date and audits had been carried out on a regular basis. The provider also had a business contingency plan and had developed guidance and risk assessments in relation to the current pandemic.

McAuley Mount Residential 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. McAuley Mount is located on the outskirts of Burnley. It is a two-storey purpose built care home set in its own grounds. The service is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 26 people. The accommodation includes apartments, single en-suite bedrooms and single rooms. The communal rooms include a sun room, dining room, conservatory/lounge and a chapel. A passenger lift provides access to the first-floor accommodation. The grounds are accessible to people using the service. There is car parking available next to the service. The philosophy of care is underpinned by the Roman Catholic faith. The service specialises in providing personal care and accommodation for older people.

At the time of our inspection there were 23 people accommodated at the service.

The service was managed by 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. The registered manager was supported in the day to day running of the service by a deputy manager.

At the last inspection on 12, 13, 14 July 2017 we found that there no breaches of the regulations of the health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities.) Regulations 2014. However, we found there were some matters needing improvement and the service was rated as Requires Improvement. We found there was some discontentment about aspects of management, morale and teamwork. We found the assessment process needed to improve to make sure people’s needs were more effectively identified and care plans adopted a more person-centred approach. We also found improvements were needed in the management of complaints and processes for planning and developing the service.

At this inspection we found that improvements had been made and the provider was meeting all regulations reviewed. At the last inspection the service was rated as overall "Requires improvement." At this inspection the rating had improved to overall "good."

People who lived at the home and their relatives told us they were happy with staffing levels. They felt that staff were there to assist them when they required support.

Records showed that staff had been recruited safely and had received an effective induction, appropriate training, supervision and appraisal.

Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and were aware how to protect people from abuse or the risk of abuse.

People told us staff were kind and compassionate and respected their right to privacy, dignity and independence. People had access to advocacy services if needed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Where people lacked the capacity to make decisions about their care, the service had taken appropriate action in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People’s needs had been assessed and risk assessments had been undertaken. Person centred care plans were in place.

People and their families were involved in the planning and review of their care.

Changes in people’s health were identified and appropriate health professionals were contacted. People had sufficient amounts to eat and drink and their nutritional and hydration needs were well met.

People's religious needs were effectively met. They were able to spent time in the chapel attending mass and prayers.

People were supported to take part in activities and events. They told us they were happy with the activities that were available at the home.

The service had a registered manager in post. People living at the service and staff were happy with how the service was being managed. The found the registered manager to be approachable and supportive.

People were given the opportunity to feedback on their experience. Where complaints had been made, these were investigated thoroughly and resolved.

McAuley Mount Residential Care Home is located on the outskirts of Burnley, it is a two-storey purpose built care home set in its own grounds. The service is registered to provide accommodation and care for up to 26 people. The accommodation includes apartments, single en-suite bedrooms and single rooms without en-suite facilities. The communal rooms include a sun room, dining room, conservatory/lounge and a chapel. A passenger lift provides access to the first floor accommodation. The grounds are accessible to people using the service. There is car parking available next to the service. The philosophy of care at is underpinned by the Roman Catholic faith. The service specialises in providing personal care and accommodation for older people.

At the time of the inspection there were 26 people accommodated at the service.

The service was managed by 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.

At the last inspection on 22 and 23 October 2014 we found the service was meeting all the standards assessed and the service was rated Good. During this inspection we found there were no breaches of the regulations of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. However we found there were some matters requiring improvement.

We found there were management and leadership arrangements in place to support the day to day running of the service. However comments from staff indicated there was discontentment about aspects of management

People made positive comments about the caring attitude of staff. During the inspection we observed staff interacting with people in a kind, pleasant and friendly manner and being respectful of people's choices and opinions.

There were some good processes in place to manage and store people’s medicines safely. We found some improvements were needed and most of these were put right during the inspection.

People told us they felt safe at the service. Staff were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to do if they had any concerns about people’s wellbeing and safety.

Arrangements were in place to ensure staff were properly checked before working at the service. There were enough staff available to provide care and support. There were systems in place to ensure all staff received regular training and supervision.

Processes were in place to assess and plan for people’s needs before they moved into the service. But we found the assessment process needed to improve to make sure people’s needs were more effectively identified.

People had individual care plans and ‘care passports’ however we found progress was needed to ensure the design and content of the plans promoted a person centred approach.

People were supported with their healthcare needs and received appropriate medical attention. Changes in people’s health and well-being were monitored and responded to.

People were happy with the variety and quality of the meals provided. We found various choices were available. Support was provided with specific diets. Drinks were readily accessible and regularly offered.

Arrangements were in place to promote the safety of the premises, this included maintenance, servicing and checking systems. We found the service to be very clean in the areas we looked at.

People were happy with the accommodation at the service. We found some areas had been upgraded and redecorated to provide for people’s comfort and wellbeing.

The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. During the inspection we observed staff involving people in routine decisions and consulting with them on their individual needs and preferences.

There were opportunities for people to engage in a range of group and individual activities.

People were keeping in contact with families and friends. We found visiting arrangements were flexible.

People spoken with had an awareness of the service’s complaints procedure and processes. They said they would be confident in raising concerns. However we found improvements were needed with the management of complaints.

Arrangements were in place to encourage people to express their views and be consulted about McAuley Mount Residential Care. People had opportunities to give feedback on their experience of the service. Processes were in place to check and monitor systems and practices. We found improvements were needed with processes for planning and developing the service.

People were being involved as far as possible in consenting to and planning their support. People were encouraged to maintain and develop their independence skills.

We found people experienced good care and support. They told us they were treated with respect. People were getting support with their healthcare needs and they had ongoing attention from health care professionals.

People were provided with good accommodation. Improvements had been made in up grading the premises, for the comfort and well-being of people using the service.

Processes were in place to help ensure people received care and support from suitably recruited, skilled and experienced staff.

People had been consulted about their experience of service. We found checks of the services' various systems and practises had been carried out.

People were being involved in planning their care and were enabled to make some decisions about matters which affected them. People were encouraged to maintain their independence skills. They told us they were treated with respect and their privacy was maintained.

People told us the care was good, they were getting support with their healthcare needs and they had ongoing attention from health care professionals. However we found some care plan records were not detailed and up to date, which meant peoples' needs and choices may not be known and properly planned for.

We found the home's staffing arrangements were sufficient in ensuring people received appropriate care and support.

People spoken with had no complaints about the services being provided at McAuley Mount. They knew how to raise concerns and were aware of the complaints procedures.