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  • Care home

Archived: Altham Court Care Home

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Altham Terrace, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN6 7SP (01522) 511373

Provided and run by:
Bupa Care Homes (CFChomes) Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

6 October 2015

During a routine inspection

This inspection took place on 6 October 2015 and was unannounced. Altham Court residential and nursing home provides care for older people who have mental and physical health needs. It provides accommodation for up to 48 people who require personal and nursing care. At the time of our inspection there were 44people living at the home.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post. 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

On the day of our inspection we found that staff interacted well with people and people were cared for safely. People and their relatives told us that they felt safe and well cared for. Staff were able to tell us about how to keep people safe. The provider had systems and processes in place to keep people safe.

The provider acted in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). The MCA provides the legal framework to assess people’s capacity to make certain decisions, at a certain time. If the location is a care home the Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor the operation of the DoLS, and to report on what we find.

We found that people’s health care needs were assessed and care planned and delivered to meet those needs. People had access to other healthcare professionals such as a dietician and GP and were supported to eat enough to keep them healthy. People had access to drinks and snacks during the day and had choices at mealtimes. Where people had special dietary requirements we saw that these were provided for.

There were not always sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff did not consistently respond in a timely manner to people. Staff were kind and sensitive to people when they were providing support and people had their privacy and dignity considered.

Staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and were provided with training on a variety of subjects to ensure that they had the skills to meet people’s needs. The provider had a training plan in place however staff had not received regular supervision and appraisals.

We saw that staff obtained people’s consent before providing care to them. Activities and access to community facilities were provided on a limited basis.

Staff felt able to raise concerns and issues with management. Relatives were clear about the process for raising concerns and were confident that they would be listened to. The complaints process was on display however it was only available in written form so not everyone could access it.

A system was in place to monitor the quality of the service and ensure continuous improvement however some of the issues we found at inspection had not been identified by this system. Regular audits were carried out and action plans put in place to address any issues which were identified.

Accidents and incidents were recorded. The provider had informed us of incidents as required by law. Notifications are events which have happened in the service that the provider is required to tell us about.

23 July 2013

During a routine inspection

During our visit we spoke with five people, two staff members and a relative. We observed the care people received and looked at records.

Overall we observed that people were supported by skilled and experienced staff who understood their roles and responsibilities.

We observed care and saw staff were responsive to people and interacted with them positively.

We saw from the care plans and observations people received care which was appropriate to their needs.

We spoke with a relative. They told us the staff were good and they said they felt confident with the care their relative received.

People told us the staff were caring and looked after them well. People said, 'Staff are really friendly' and 'They know my likes and dislikes."

They said 'I like it because the staff are really nice.'

Another person told us they thought the home was well run and felt they were able to approach staff if they needed anything.

When we looked at the records we found there were gaps and they did not accurately reflect the care people were being given or required.

19 September 2012

During a routine inspection

As part of our inspection we spoke with four people who used the service.

People told us they liked living at the home.They said, "Short of nothing" and "It's a good place."

People said the food was good. People told us there was a choice of two meals but said if they didn't like either the cook would do something else. We saw there was an additional list of food which people could have.

We spoke with a relative who told us their relative was getting good care.

People told us they could usually get help when they needed it. One person said, "Sometimes come quickly but depends how busy staff are.'

We asked people about the staff and they told us,'Nothings too much trouble' and "The nurses help you they're very good.'

14 November 2011

During a routine inspection

People told us they felt their needs were being met by the support they received and this was provided in a way they wished. People said they were able to make the decisions they felt able to. One person told us, 'I go to bed and get up when I like.' Another person said, 'I couldn't be any where better, I can do what I want all the time.'

We spoke with some people who had mobility difficulties and they said they were happy with the support they received. One person said, 'I have no complaints about that.' They also told us they felt their health care was looked after and they received the medical attention they required.

One person told us about treatment they had received from a hospital and how they had been supported to attend all the appointments. Another person said they would like more assistance to practice walking with a walking frame so they did not have to spend as much time in a wheelchair.

People said they felt able to make comments about what it was like to live in the home. One person replied, 'I say what I think.'

People told us they thought the home was friendly and homely. They praised the staff and management and one person said, 'The people who run it and the staff are very good.' People also spoke positively about the food and being able to do what they wanted.