• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Temple Ewell Nursing Home

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

Wellington Road, Temple Ewell, Dover, Kent, CT16 3DB (01304) 822206

Provided and run by:
Charing Cross Investments Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

16 and 21 July 2015

During a routine inspection

The inspection visit was carried out on 16 and 21 July 2015 and was unannounced.

Temple Ewell Nursing Home is a privately owned care home providing nursing care and support to up to 44 adults who have nursing needs and who may also be living with dementia. The rooms are located on two floors; the main entrance is on the first floor accessed by a lift. There are private gardens with seating, patio areas and parking. On the day of the inspection there were 38 people living at the service.

There was a registered manager working at the service. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Although people told us they felt safe, risk assessments to support people with their mobility were not detailed enough to show how the risks should be managed safely. The assessments also lacked guidance for staff to support people with their behaviour, so that these risks could be minimised. This left people at risk of not receiving interventions they needed to keep them as safe as possible.

There was insufficient staff on duty to ensure that people’s needs were fully met. People, relatives and staff told us that on occasions there was not enough staff on duty, especially at weekends.

Records did not confirm that the required training had been provided for all staff, and further specialist training, such as dementia, needed to be carried out for all staff. Over fifty per cent of staff held recognised qualifications in care or were completing the award. Staff met regularly with the registered manager to discuss their role and any concerns they had.

The Care Quality Commission is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). At the time of the inspection the registered manager had applied for a DoLS authorisation for two people who were at risk of having their liberty restricted. Not all mental capacity assessments were in place to assess if other people needed to be considered for any restrictions to their freedom.

When people were unable to make important decisions for themselves, relatives, doctors and other specialists were involved in their care and treatment and decisions were made in people’s best interest. However, information was not always recorded to confirm how people had given their consent or been involved in decisions that had been made, for example, when bed rails were in place to prevent a person getting out of bed.

Care plans lacked detail to show how people’s personalised care was being provided and care plans had not been reviewed or updated since March 2015. Care plans did not record all the information needed to make sure staff had guidance and information to care and support people in personalised way. Records were not always completed accurately or properly.

People and relatives told us the staff were kind and respected their privacy and dignity. However, this was sometimes being compromised by lack of staff, which made the care more task orientated than person centred. Staff were familiar with people’s likes and dislikes and supported people with their daily routines.

Although there were some planned activities, on the day of the inspection some people remained in their rooms and were not engaged in activities. Staff were familiar with people’s likes and dislikes, such as what food they preferred.

People told us that they felt safe living at Temple Ewell. The majority of staff had received safeguarding training and they were aware of how to recognise and protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff knew about the whistle blowing policy and were confident they could raise any concerns with the manager or outside agencies if needed. Staff recruitment systems were robust and checks had been made to ensure new staff did not pose a risk to people living at the service.

Staff were receiving support from their manager through one to one meetings. Yearly appraisals were used to ensure staff had the opportunity to develop and identify their training needs. There were regular staff meetings so staff could voice their opinions and discuss any issues.

Checks on the equipment and the environment were carried out and emergency plans were in place so if an emergency happened, like a fire, the staff knew what to do.

Accidents and incidents had been recorded and the necessary action had been taken to reduce the risks of them happening again.

Staff were attentive and the atmosphere in the service was calm and people appeared comfortable in their surroundings. Staff encouraged and involved people in conversation as they went about their duties.

People told us that they enjoyed their meals. If people were not eating enough their food was monitored. If required a referral was made to a dietician or their doctor, and supplements were provided so that they maintained a healthy diet.

Medicines were stored and administered safely. Staff had been trained and demonstrated good practice in medicine administration. People’s health was monitored and when it was necessary staff contacted their doctors or specialist services.

The complaints procedure was on display to show people the process of how to complain. People, their relatives and staff felt confident that if they did make a complaint they would be listened to and action would be taken.

There were quality assurance systems in place which had not always been effective. Health and safety checks and maintenance checks were regularly carried out. The service had systems in place for people to voice their opinions on the service and care being provided.

Staff told us that they were supported by the management team. They said the managers and nurses were approachable and that there was a culture of openness within the service. They told us they were listened to and their opinions were taken into consideration.

We found a number of breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.

18 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We found the home to be a very happy and relaxed place to be. All staff and people using the service appeared calm and content. People using the service told us that they were very happy living there, expressing comments to us such as, "They look after me well", "They are all so kind" and "I can talk to any of the girls."

We saw that staff were kind and caring when interacting with people, providing time and space for people to process what they were being asked. Staff responded swiftly and efficiently to all calls heard either by buzzer or by people calling out.

Staff had received training in relation to safeguarding vulnerable people and knew what to look out for, and how to report such matters if they should arise. People living in the home said they felt happy with staff and were confident in their skills.

People expressed positive comments to us on the service, such as, "The food is not what I would make for myself but it is always ok ", "He is looked after well, he has a good appetite and enjoys his food, there is always enough."

The staff created a friendly and happy atmosphere, at no point appearing flustered or rushed when supporting people despite most people remaining in their own rooms. All staff spoken too admitted to be very happy in their roles, and all people using the service apart from one, stated they were very happy where they were and with the care they received.

16 November 2012

During a routine inspection

We made an unannounced visit to the service and spoke with people who use the service, the manager and to staff members. There were 38 people using the service and we met and spoke with some of them and with some visiting relatives. Everyone we spoke with said that they were very happy with the service provided at Temple Ewell Nursing Home.

People told us that they felt safe and well looked after. They said that the staff were kind and caring. People said 'The staff are around and when I press my buzzer, they come quickly' and 'The staff give me time, they are kind' and 'They are all very nice and very kind, you cannot fault them' and 'If I want anything, I only have to ask.' A relative said 'There is always someone to talk to. All the staff are obliging, very kind and respectful.' Another relative said 'The care can only be described as exemplary.'

People said they could talk about any problems to the manager and to the staff. People said that they would be listened to and any problem would be sorted out. A relative said 'We have only made one complaint in all these years and it was dealt with straight away.'

People told us that the food was good. People said 'We always get a choice. They come round and tell you about the options. If you don't like it you can have an alternative' and 'We get a menu and we can choose what we want. If you don't like it they always let you have something else.'

23 May 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We were able to talk with twenty people using the service.

People spoke very positively about the home. People said the staff treated them with respect. They always knocked and asked if may enter before entering people's rooms.

People were able to spend some time outside if they wished and one of the people said that staff helped them feed the birds.

One person said, 'I have been here a long time now and I am confident in the care I receive which is carried out cheerfully. I am not one to suffer in silence and if I was unhappy about anything they would soon know!'

A visitor confirmed that her relative was always treated well and she said 'I always feel confident that he is in good hands when I am not here'

People said the staff were attentive. People made requests for additional snacks during the morning and these were given promptly. One person said, 'they really spoil us here'

22 August 2011

During a routine inspection

People told us or expressed that they had the care and support they needed and that they were happy with their care. Some people told us they had been involved in planning their care, but others were not sure if they had and were not sure if they had a written plan of care. However they said they were not concerned about this because the staff were kind and they could talk to them if they needed anything and they always responded in a helpful way.

Everyone we spoke to said they felt safe in the home. This included when being moved using the hoist. They said that the staff made sure that they were comfortable and had what they needed.

People said that their wishes were respected and that they were given choices about their care, for example a choice of meals, whether to have a bath or shower and whether they wanted to take part in the planned social activities for the day.

People also said that they could choose when they got up and went to bed.

People said they liked the staff, they were very kind and respectful.