We carried out a review of the data available to us about Sandtoft Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Sandtoft Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
The service had a manager who was currently going through the CQC registration process. They were well supported by the area manager who had previously been the registered manager of Sandtoft Care Home.
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained good
The home was bright and, airy and improvements had been made for people to access the garden. The kitchen had been refurbished and people were able to personalise their bedrooms.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) 2009 legislation had been followed. The registered manager told us that DoLS applications had been submitted to the Local Authority for some people. The provider had systems in place to ensure that people were protected from the risk of harm or abuse and staff were able to discuss action they would take if they thought there was any risk to people living in the home.
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's medicines were handled safely and were given to them in accordance with their prescriptions. Care plans showed that people's GPs and other healthcare professionals were contacted for advice about people’s health needs whenever necessary. We saw the service had responded promptly when people had experienced health problems.
End of life care was good with the staff ensuring a person’s final days were lived comfortably surrounded by the people who knew and cared for them.
Staff were recruited safely and there was evidence that staff received a proper induction and suitable training to do their job role effectively. All staff had been supervised in their role.
The provider had quality assurance processes including audits, resident/relatives meetings and quality questionnaires. The provider also had up to date policies that were updated regularly. The manager and provider regularly checked the quality of care at the home through audits.
Care plans were well organised and identified the care and support people required. We found they were informative about care people had received. They had been kept under review and updated when necessary to reflect people's changing needs. The service had a complaints procedure which was made available to people and their relatives on their admission to the home.
We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of Sandtoft Care Home on 07 and 09 September 2015.
Sandtoft Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to twenty two people. At the time of our visit 20 people were living at the home. The home is a three storey building in Hoylake offering single accommodation of a good standard. Each floor has a communal bathroom one of which is currently being converted into a new wetroom. On the ground floor there is a communal lounge, dining area and conservatory.
Sandtoft Care Home is close to the promenade, within walking distance of the local shops and has good transport links.
The home required a registered manager. 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. There was a registered manager in post from July 2014, registration date with Care Quality Commission May 2015.
People who lived at the home were happy there and held the staff in high regard. They said they were well looked after. People told us they felt safe at the home and had no worries or concerns.From our observations it was clear that staff cared for the people they looked after and knew them well.
People had access to sufficient quantities of nutritious food and drink throughout the day and were given suitable menu choices at each mealtime. All medication records were completely legibly
and properly signed for. All staff giving out medication had been medication trained.
We reviewed five care plans, these provided sufficient information on people’s needs and
risks and guidance to staff on how to meet them. Regular reviews of care plans took place to monitor any changes to the support people required
We saw that the home had ensured people’s mental health needs were assessed and had employed elements of good practice in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We also saw that that 10 staff out of 20 had attended Mental Capacity training, this included ancilliary staff. We saw that some of the communal areas in the home looked tired and shabby and would benefit from redecoration and we noted some uneven surfaces which would prove difficult for people who had mobility problems when accessing the external grounds. We also identified the kitchen flooring to be worn, this meant that the moving of equiptment for cleaning was hazardous to staff.
People and relatives we spoke with said they would know how to make a complaint. No-one we spoke with had any complaints.
We saw that the manager was using a dignity audit tool to monitor and improve the care practices in the home. People and staff told us that the home was well led and the staff told us that they felt well supported in their roles.
We saw that the manager was a visible presence in and about the home and it was obvious that they knew the people who lived in the home extremely well and that the staff were well supported to carry out their responsibilities
Is the service safe?
Is the service effective?
Is the service caring?
Is the service responsive?
Is the service well led?
Is the service safe?
On the day of our inspection we found the environment to be clean and fresh.
We saw enough staff on duty to meet the needs of the people who lived at the home.
We looked at the care records of three people who lived at the home. We found that each care record contained assessment and support plan information that identified people's individual needs and risks in the delivery of care. Support plans gave clear information to staff on the care required by each person and were regularly reviewed to ensure safe and appropriate care was provided.
Is the service effective?
People told us that they were happy with the care and their needs were met. It was clear from our observations and from speaking with staff that they had a good understanding of people's care and support needs and knew them well. Some comments on the annual questionnaires said, "We really could not ask for anymore", "Loving atmosphere and extremely caring staff".
We saw training records which identified that staff received training relevant to the needs of the people who lived in the home.
Is the service caring?
We spent time in all areas of the home where we observed staff to caring for people with dignity and respect. People living at the home appeared settled and well cared for and did not raise any issues of concern with us. One person visiting the home told us they were happy with the care of their relative.
We spoke with staff and found that they knew the people living in the home well.
Is the service responsive?
People's needs were assessed before they moved into the home and records confirmed their preferences, interests and health needs were recorded. We saw that when people's needs changed they had been referred appropriately to the relevant health professionals such as the G.P. dietician or others such as occupational therapists. One person told us that their needs had changed recently due to illness and a stay in hospital and records had been updated to reflect this.
Is the service well led?
Staff had a good understanding of what was required of them in their role and the good standards of care that they were expected to deliver. We were told that the registered manager spends a lot of time in the home and is available on call at other times for advice and support.
Staff told us that the manager supported them to attend training.
The manager had appropriate monitoring and audit systems in place to ensure the safety and well-being of people living in the home, visitors and staff.
'We're very comfortable.'
'We've been enjoying sitting out in the garden and having barbecues.'
'We always have a choice of meals.'
'We have fresh fruit and vegetables, bananas, strawberries, fresh fruit salad.'
'We can sit in the lounge or conservatory or stay in our bedrooms.'
We have a laugh with the staff and can have a heart to heart with them. They make you feel as though you are in a family.'
'The activities organiser is brilliant.'
Care plans showed that people's needs were assessed and reviewed monthly. The care plans were written in appropriate language and had been signed by the person or a relative.
The premises had been improved over recent months and all areas were clean, tidy and free from unpleasant odours. Service contracts were in place to ensure that the premises were safe. Regular fire alarm tests and fire drills were held.
Satisfactory recruitment practices were followed and new staff completed induction training. Records showed that 50% of the care staff had an national vocational qualification. Housekeeping and catering staff had also achieved a qualification relevant to their work. People who lived at the home told us 'The staff always have time for you.' and 'The staff are kindness itself, all of the staff are equally as good.'
People were given information about who they should contact if the wished to make a complaint, and how their complaint would be investigated and responded to.
We found since our last visit the pathway to the entrance had been made safe and communal areas had been painted. We saw that all bedrooms had been maintained, thoroughly cleaned and decorated where necessary. We saw that bedroom carpets had been cleaned or replaced and flooring in the en-suite bathrooms had been replaced and sealed to avoid trip hazards and to maintain hygiene.
We were told by one person that she enjoyed living in the home and that she had a lovely bedroom with all she needed. In relation to staff we were told "the girls are lovely", another told us that "the girls are always so good".
One relative told us they were aware of whom they should speak with should they be dissatisfied with any aspect of their relative's care. Two people living in the home told us that they would speak with staff or the manager if they needed to report anything.