20 January 2015 and 29 January 2015
During a routine inspection
We carried out an unannounced visit on 20 January 2015 and a further announced visit was made on 29 January 2015.
St Anne’s Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 40 older people. The home is situated on the seafront in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear. There were 30 people living at the home at the time of our inspection.
A registered manager was in post. 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.
There were policies and procedures in place to help ensure people were safe and protected from harm and staff had received training related to these. There was a system for dealing with medicines to help ensure these were administered safely.
People and their relatives told us they felt there were sufficient staff on duty to respond to people’s needs and staff said they always had sufficient time to complete their daily duties.
Accidents and incidents were recorded so concerns could be highlighted and risk assessments put in place where appropriate. The premises were well maintained and health and safety checks were carried out on equipment in the home to protect people’s safety.
Staff recruitment records showed checks were carried out prior to staff being employed in the home to help ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people.
CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). DoLS are part of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). These safeguards aim to make sure that people are looked after in a way that does not inappropriately restrict their freedom. The registered manager told us that she had submitted four applications to the Local Authority, where it was felt authorisations were required to restrict people’s liberty in their best interests and to safeguard them from harm. The registered manager said two of these applications had been approved and she was awaiting the paperwork to be returned.
We observed the lunch and evening meals being served at the home. The atmosphere was relaxed and people enjoyed their food. People said the food was tasty and they were given choices.
The staff told us they had undergone appropriate training to meet people’s needs and the records confirmed this. Staff received regular supervision and felt well supported by the management.
Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and met people’s needs in a sensitive manner. They were able to describe people’s individual needs and how they met them.
The records showed the home made prompt referrals to health care professionals if required and this was confirmed by people and their relatives. Health care professionals told us they had no concerns about the home and staff made referrals when appropriate and followed any advice they were given. Two activities organisers were employed and a programme of activities and outings were provided which people could take part in.
People and their relatives said they knew how to make a complaint and felt their complaint would be taken seriously by the registered manager. We looked at five care records and found assessments had been carried out and care plans reflected the people’s needs. This meant staff were provided with information regarding people’s care.
The registered manager and deputy manager carried out audits and checks to help ensure standards were met and maintained. Annual surveys were sent to people and their relatives to seek their opinion of the service and we found the comments were positive. Surveys had been recently issued and the registered manager was waiting for them to be returned so the results could be analysed.