About the service: Ditton Priors Care Centre is registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to 23 older people, who may be living with dementia. There were 20 people living at the home at the time of our visit, one person was in hospital. Care is provided across two floors and communal areas were located on the ground floor. Not all bedrooms were ensuite. People’s experience of using this service:
• People told us that they were happy and contented living at Ditton Priors Care Centre.
• Risk assessments managed risks within people’s lives and staff knew how to keep people safe from known risks.
• People received their medicines as prescribed from trained and competent staff.
•There were sufficient numbers of care staff on duty to keep people safe and to monitor the communal areas of the home. However, at times, staffing levels went below assessed levels but people told us this did not adversely affect them.
• Staff felt well-prepared for their role because they had training in relevant subjects and were supported to develop their skills.
• Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities.
• People were supported to have 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’s dietary needs, preferences and nutritional needs were assessed and known by staff.
• People were referred to other professionals to support their healthcare needs.
• Staff were kind, respectful and responsive towards people. They understood people’s concerns and were quick to offer reassurance which reduced people’s anxiety.
• Staff knew people well and supported people in line with their care plan. Care plan records were reviewed but in some cases, needed more detailed information for staff to provide the person centred care, staff told us about.
• Improvements to provide people with opportunities to engage in activities and interests had increased people’s stimulation since our last inspection visit.
• Following the last inspection visit, the registered manager and regional managers had changed and the instability of management had affected some aspects of the service. The provider had appointed a registered manager who was open and honest to us about the challenges they faced within the service.
• The provider’s quality assurance processes had not always identified when audits were not completed.
• The registered manager was visible and approachable. Staff said changes were for the better and they worked well as a team.
• The registered manager had plans to further improve upon the changes already made and time for those to embed would demonstrate their true effectiveness. The registered manager was working with other organisations and healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for people.
We found the service met the characteristics of a “Good” rating in four areas and “Requires Improvement” in one area; For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good. The last report for Ditton Priors Care Centre was published on 25 August 2016.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The previous ‘good’ service provided to people continued, however a number of changes within the management of the service and provider, affected some aspects of this service. However, the overall rating continues to be Good.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.