Archived: Longworth House Nursing Home

There were 15 people living at Longworth House Nursing Home at the time of this inspection visit. We spoke with the acting manager, the chef, two registered nurses, the cleaner and three care staff.

We also spoke with six people who lived at the home and three relatives who were visiting.

Everyone told us that people were well looked after and treated kindly and with respect. Comments included, 'I am treated well by all the staff, I get the care I need,' and 'Everything is fine, I have no problems, staff are very kind.'

We reviewed a number of care records and found these demonstrated that people's individual needs were assessed and responded to.

We looked at the staffing arrangements in place. People told us that there were enough staff to attend to their needs. One person said, 'If you need a staff member you ring your bell and they come.' Staff training records were limited and did not demonstrate that staff were suitably trained.

We looked at systems to monitor the quality of the service. We found that the provider did not have an effective system in place.

We spoke with seven people who lived at the home and four relatives who were visiting. Everyone told us the staff were very good. Peoples' views about the care provided varied. One person who lived at the home said 'you can have everything you like'. Another said 'you have what you're given'.

We observed that the routines of daily living were centred on the needs of the service rather than on the needs of the individuals using the service. As a result we found that people's independence and dignity were not always promoted.

Risks were not always identified, assessed and managed.

We found that choice of food provided was limited and two people told us sometimes they liked it and sometimes not. We saw that people were offered hot and cold drinks regularly.

We found that the staffing levels were determined by the number of people accommodated and not by their needs. As a consequence people were observed to experience delays in having their needs met.

We found that the provider did not have in place an effective system for monitoring the quality of the service that people received.

People told us they were given choices about their care and treatment and were looked after in a respectful way. We saw that staff responded promptly and sensitively to requests for help. People told us that the food was good and met their needs. Observation and discussion with the chef confirmed that the catering arrangements ensured suitable food was provided to meet individual need.

We spoke with all the staff working in the home. This included the registered nurse, four care staff, the chef and cleaner. They told us that they were well supported and trained to carry out the requirements of their job.

We looked at the systems and processes the home had in place to respond to complaints and to protect people from abuse. These processes ensured complaints could be raised and staff knew what constituted abuse and what to do if it was suspected.