Archived: St Andrews House Exmouth

Updated 26 April 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 23 March 2017 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one Adult Social Care inspector.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held on our systems. This included reviewing whether any statutory notifications had been submitted to us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to tell us about by law. We had asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The provider had completed this in January 2017.

We spoke with three care staff working at the home on the days of inspection, as well as the registered manager, her deputy manager and a referrals coordinator.

At the time of this inspection, four people were living at St Andrews. We met three people living in the home and spoke to two of them about their experiences. We also met one relative who was visiting the home.

We looked at a sample of records relating to the running of the home and to the care of people. We reviewed three people’s care records, including risk assessments, care plans and two records relating to people taking their medicines. We reviewed two staff records. We were also shown policies and procedures and quality monitoring audits which related to the running of the service.

After the inspection we contacted health and social care professionals in two community mental health teams. We received no responses. We also contacted the GPs and district nurses at two local GP surgeries but did not receive a response.

Updated 26 April 2017

The home provides accommodation and personal care for up to six adults who require help with personal care. The home specialises in emergency, short and medium term respite for people with mental health issues. The accommodation is located in a converted church in Exmouth, within walking distance of both the sea and the town centre. On the same site, there are two other areas which provide supported living accommodation. Staff work across all three areas.

At the last comprehensive inspection in November 2014, the service was rated Good. This comprehensive inspection took place on 23 March 2017 and was unannounced. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The home had a registered manager who had registered with the Care Quality Commission in May 2016. 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.

People had been assessed when they started using the service. Risks to people and the environment were assessed and plans put in place to mitigate any identified risks. Care plans had been developed with the person’s involvement and described what staff needed to do in order to meet the person’s needs, risks and preferences. These were mostly reviewed regularly and if the person’s requirements altered. However, one care plan had not been updated for a person who received regular respite care.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to support people with their assessed needs.

People received care that met their needs from staff who were recruited safely and trained in their role. Staff were supervised in their role and received an annual appraisal to help their personal development. Staff were trained in safeguarding and had a good understanding of how to respond to safeguarding concerns.

Staff knew people well and showed kindness and compassion when working with them. Staff respected people’s right to privacy and ensured they maintained people’s dignity.

People were supported to have choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them to maintain their independence. Staff had been trained in the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and knew the implications of this when providing care for people. People were encouraged to do activities including those related to daily life, such as cooking. People were provided with a healthy and varied menu to meet their nutritional needs.

Policies and procedures were in place for staff to support people to take their medicines safely.

The home was well maintained. People were able to personalise their bedrooms. Friends and family were encouraged to visit without unreasonable restrictions.

There were quality assurance systems to monitor the running of the home. Records showed that where issues were identified these were addressed.