Archived: Sunnyside Nursing Home

We found the following examples of good practice.

• Visitors had to sign a COVID-19 risk assessment and declaration before entering the building, and on entry were provided with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and had their temperature taken.

• The home had implemented a zoning system due to the nature of the service. ‘Zones’ (which were created as part of the providers infection control systems and identified which residents were isolating or required further shielding) were clearly marked with guidance on each person's door around what PPE to be used for that person. Each zone had its own PPE donning and doffing area.

• Staff were allocated to zones based on risks to their health and wellbeing. Staff's protected characteristics were considered as additional risk factors and reflected in how staff were deployed.

• Staff had been provided with training around how viruses work, in addition to internal and external infection prevention and control training.

• Additional cleaning hours had been provided in response to COVID-19 and staff had been provided with ozone and fogging machines to support additional cleaning processes.

• Staff had been provided with additional uniforms to enable uniforms to be changed and laundered after each shift

Sunnyside Nursing Home provides nursing and personal care for a maximum of 35 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 34 people living at the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

On the whole medicines were managed safely. We spoke to the registered manager and nurse on duty the importance of correct transcribing on admission for one person identified. Staff meetings were held at the service; however, these were infrequent and not always documented for staff to read. We saw some information for staff was contained within newsletters. However, we spoke to the registered manager about the importance of staff meetings and their content. Staffing was appropriate to meet people’s needs. Robust recruitment procedures ensured suitable staff were employed. People were supported by staff who understood how to identify and report potential abuse. People told us they felt safe and risks to people’s health and safety were managed well. When accidents or incidents occurred, learning was identified to reduce the risk of them happening again.

People's care plans were accurate and in place, however we discussed with the registered manager to ensure old information was removed from files to avoid confusion. Staff said they read and followed care plans and knew people well. People's wishes regarding their end of life were in place if and when required. People had access to a good range of activities and told us they enjoyed these. We observed this on inspection. People and relatives were confident to raise issues and concerns. Complaints procedures were effective.

People were supported to have maximum 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 had the support they needed to maintain a balanced diet and good health. Staff received training and support they needed to give them the knowledge and skills needed to care for people safely and effectively.

Staff promoted caring relationships with the people who lived at the service. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and promoted independence, equality and diversity. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and delivery of their care.

There was a positive leadership in the service. People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff and registered manager. People new the registered manager by name and told us they felt she was very approachable. Audits and monitoring procedures were used effectively to manage the service and to make improvements where needed.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (17June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Sunnyside Nursing Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

Sunnyside Nursing Home provides accommodation for up to 36 people who require nursing or personal care. The home is situated in the Crossgates area of Leeds and is close to local shops and community facilities.

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 about how the service is run.

Staff we spoke with confirmed that they had received training in safeguarding adults from the risk of abuse. Staff were able to explain the types of abuse and what action they would take if they suspected abuse.

We looked at staff recruitment files and found the provider had a safe and effective system in place for employing new staff. We saw sufficient staff were employed to ensure people’s needs were maintained.

We saw that medicines were managed in a safe way. Medicines were stored, administered and records were maintained which confirmed that people received their medicines as prescribed.

Risks associated with people’s care and treatment were identified and plans were in place to minimise the risks occurring.

We spoke with staff who said they received appropriate training which gave them the skills and confidence to carry out their responsibilities. Training included moving and handling, first aid, health and safety, fire prevention, safeguarding, and food hygiene.

Through our observations and from talking with staff and the registered manager we found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff confirmed they had received training in this subject.

People received a healthy and balanced diet which met their needs and took in to consideration their preferences. We saw that snacks and drinks were offered throughout the day.

We looked at peoples care plans and found that relevant healthcare professionals were involved in their care when required.

We observed staff interacting with people and we found they were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff ensured that people’s dignity was respected.

Care plans we looked at were indicative of people’s assessed needs. Staff knew people well and ensured they met people’s needs in a timely manner.

The service employed an activity co-ordinator who was available in this role thirty hours a week. This person organised events and social stimulation for people, based on their individual preferences.

The provider had a complaints procedure and people felt able to raise concerns if they needed to. The registered manager kept a log of concerns received and addressed them effectively and in line with the provider’s policy.

People we spoke with told us the registered manager was supportive and they felt able to approach the registered manager and felt she listened to them and acted on what they told her.

We saw regular audits took place to check the quality of service provision. Action plans were devised to follow up any issues.

People were involved in the service and their views were sought. We saw evidence that people were involved in quality surveys and residents and relatives meetings and were able to comment about the service.

People told us they were happy with the service provided by the home. They felt they were given enough information about their care options and were able to ask all the questions they wanted to. They found the staff to be friendly and reported that they were treated with respect and their privacy was maintained.

Staff told us people received good care and treatment, and their needs were appropriately met. They said people who used the service received support which was planned to make sure it met their individual needs.

People told us they knew who to contact and the staff were well trained and knowledgeable about their care needs. People told us they would be listened to and action would be taken if they had a concern.

We looked at a number of records and audits which confirmed regular checks were being carried out to ensure the service was safe and effective.

People who used the service, their representatives and staff were asked for their views about their care and treatment and they were acted on. We spoke with seven relatives and comments included 'Wonderful care they give our mum' and 'The support has been fantastic and reassuring.'

People were cared for, or supported by, suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

People who used the service told us that they were very satisfied with the care they received. One said 'I am very happy here, the staff are great.' We spoke with two relatives of people who used the service. One said 'Its terrific, the staff are very good.'

The home had procedures to obtain people's consent to care and treatment and acted in accordance with their wishes. One of the people we spoke with said 'The staff always ask me before trying to help me do anything.' They also told us that they could 'Get up and go to bed whenever I liked.'

The provider had effective procedures for the recruitment and induction of new staff. The staff knew and understood the needs and personal preferences of the people who used the service. One of the members of staff we spoke with told us 'I love working here, I feel I am caring for people.'

The provider had appropriate procedures to deal with complaints. People who used the service and their relatives knew what to do if they had any concerns and how to make a complaint. The provider took account of their comments and suggestions and considered how they service could be improved.