5 February 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 5 February 2015 and was unannounced. This meant the staff and the provider did not know we would be visiting. St Bede's Cottage Care Home was last inspected by CQC on 23 July 2013 and was compliant.
A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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. At the time of our inspection there was a new manager in post who was applying to become registered.
St Bede's Cottage Care Home is situated in the village of Bearpark, close to Durham city centre. It is split into two units; the St Bede's unit is for 20 people with a physical disability and the Vicarage unit is for 9 people with a learning disability. On the day of our inspection there were 19 people using the service.
There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty in order to meet the needs of people using the service. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff.
Training records were up to date and staff received supervisions and appraisals, which meant that staff were properly supported to provide care to people who used the service.
People who used the service and their relatives were complimentary about the standard of care at St Bede's Cottage Care Home. They told us, “I like it here”, “I like the staff” and “I am very happy here.”
The layout of the building provided adequate space for people with walking aids or wheelchairs to mobilise safely around the home but could be more suitably designed for people with dementia.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They aim to make sure that people in care homes, hospitals and supported living are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom. We discussed DoLS with the manager and looked at records. The registered manager was fully aware of the recent changes in legislation and we found the provider was following the requirements of DoLS.
We found evidence of mental capacity assessments or best interest decision making in the care records. Staff were following the Mental Capacity Act 2005 for people who lacked capacity to make particular decisions and the provider had made applications under the Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards for people being restricted of their liberty.
People were protected against the risks associated with the unsafe use and management of medicines.
We saw staff supporting and helping to maintain people’s independence. People were encouraged to care for themselves where possible. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.
People had access to food and drink throughout the day and we saw staff supporting people at meal times when required.
People who used the service had access to a range of activities in the home and within the local community.
All the care records we looked at showed people’s needs were assessed before they moved into the home. Care plans and risk assessments were in place when required and daily records were up to date. Care plans were written in a person centred way and were reviewed regularly.
We saw staff used a range of assessment tools and kept clear records about how care was to be delivered.
We saw people who used the service had access to healthcare services and received ongoing healthcare support. Care records contained evidence of visits from external specialists.
People using the service, their relatives, friends and visitors were asked about the quality of the service provided.