Archived: Rathgar Care Home

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service, the staff supporting them and from looking at records.

The detailed evidence supporting our summary can be read in our full report.

Is the service safe?

People's needs had been appropriately assessed before they were admitted to Rathgar Care Home. We found that after admission to the home, needs were regularly reassessed to ensure people received the safe care they needed. This meant that staff had the information they needed to minimise identified risks to people's safety and welfare.

Visitors arriving at the home were required to wait for a staff member to answer the front door. They were then asked to sign the visitors' book when they entered the building. This meant that people were protected from unauthorised entry by persons who had no legitimate cause to be in the home as a visitor or tradesperson.

There were suitable arrangements in place to respond to emergencies. The manager or the provider was available 'on call' to support staff to manage an emergency situation safely and in a timely way.

We found that the equipment in place for staff to use to support people with their care needs was appropriately maintained and serviced. We saw that the premises were kept clean and that safety equipment, such as the fire alarm and call bells, were regularly tested and kept in good working order. This meant that people were cared for in a safe, well maintained environment.

Is the service effective?

When we spoke with three staff and looked at their records, we found that they had received the information, training and managerial support they needed to do their job effectively. We observed staff going about their duties and saw that they were confident and interacted with people in a positive manner. When we spoke with staff, we concluded that they had a good knowledge of each person's care needs and preferences because they were able to tell us about the support people needed, and how they delivered their care. When we looked at the care records for five people we saw that what staff had told us was accurately reflected in each person's care plan. This meant that people's needs were effectively met at Rathgar Care Home.

Where people's ability to choose had been compromised by their dementia, we saw there was appropriate information about their care needs and abilities. This meant that staff were guided to support people to express themselves and make their feelings and wishes known.

Is the service caring?

The staff presented as friendly and helpful. We heard staff encourage people to do things for themselves but they made sure people were safe, and provided them with timely assistance whenever that was appropriate. One person said, 'If I have a bit of a struggle doing something they never rush me. They are always there if I need help. They are all very thoughtful and kind to me.'

Is the service responsive to people's needs?

We saw that there was enough staff on duty to meet people's needs. This was also confirmed by the three staff, four visitors, and four people we spoke with. People said they never had to wait for long if they needed assistance. We heard that call bells were never left unanswered for more than a minute or two.

The three staff we spoke with had a good understanding of how to support people in a way that respected each person as an individual, each with their own needs and wishes.

Is the service well-led?

When we inspected this service, we found that the new manager had only been in post for a few weeks. The staff we spoke with said the manager was approachable, knowledgeable, and encouraged them to come up with creative ideas for improving people's quality of life. They said they could rely on the manager for guidance and support. They also said that the provider was a frequent visitor to the home and was friendly, conscientious, and committed to providing people with a good standard of care.

One visitor said, 'I would have no hesitation to go to any of the staff, the manager, or the owners if I was unhappy about anything in the home. If I was worried they would sort it out. I am confident about that. They like to hear what you think and that is very reassuring.'

Rathgar Care Home did not have a registered manager in post at the time of inspection as the previous registered manager had left a few weeks previously after many years of service. The new manager was in the process of applying to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

We found that the provider had made suitable improvements to the safety and suitability of the premises, and the bathroom had been completely refurbished, however we identified concerns with the cleanliness and infection control arrangements at the home, and the records the provider maintained to show that the necessary cleaning had been completed.

We found concerns with the cleanliness and infection control arrangements and the suitability of the communal bathroom.

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service. For example, we spoke with one person in the privacy of their room who was able to tell us about their experience of living at Rathgar. They told us their care was "excellent". They said, "The staff are very thoughtful, very kind." They told us they enjoyed their meals and received the care and help they needed. This person also said, "The staff know I am a very private person. I like to spend much of my time in my room. I am happy with that." They told us the staff always respected their choices.

We observed staff interact with people in the communal lounge. We saw that people smiled and chatted with staff and were relaxed in their presence. We heard staff talk with people and their tone of voice was friendly, they explained what they were doing and they used words of encouragement when, for example, they assisted people to move around. We saw that people were dressed in clean clothing that they had chosen to wear.

We found Rathgar homely, clean and well maintained throughout. We saw evidence that people's rooms were personalised with their belongings. One person told us, "I like my room. I have my own things. I am comfortable here."