Background to this inspection
Updated
6 May 2020
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector, one assistant inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
Valley View and Penshaw House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The manager registered with the Care Quality Commission had resigned from the service on 3 February 2020. The service had a new manager who was applying for their registration with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who worked with the service and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 11 members of staff including the manager, six care staff, the activities co-ordinator, the cook, a domestic and the administrator.
We observed how people were being cared for and reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care files and medication records. We looked at the personnel files for four staff and we reviewed records related to the management and quality assurance of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
6 May 2020
About the service
Valley View and Penshaw House is a residential care home which can provide personal care for up to 44 people. Valley View accommodates people on the ground floor of an adapted building. Penshaw House, opened in June 2019, provides 6 self-contained suites. The home accommodates older people, some of whom were living with a dementia and younger adults. At the time of this inspection there were 43 people living at the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and were happy with their care. Risks to individuals and the environment were well managed however some staff had limited knowledge of evacuation procedures. People were safeguarded from abuse. Medicines were administered and managed safely. Staff were recruited in a safe way. The home was clean.
We received mixed views about staffing levels from some people, relatives and staff. Staffing levels did not impact on the service people received, although some staff’s interaction with residents was variable. We saw at times during the inspection staff were not always visible. We have made a recommendation about the deployment of staff to ensure enough staff are always available.
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. Staff received appropriate training and supervision. People's health was well managed. Staff worked closely with other professionals to provide effective care.
Staff were kind and had developed caring relationships with people. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People’s independence was promoted. Staff ensured people maintained links with their friends and relatives.
People’s care was based on detailed assessments and person-centred care plans although some records needed review. A range of activities were available. People felt confident raising concerns. Complaints had been dealt with effectively. Staff were aware of good practice in end of life care. People's religious beliefs and preferences were respected.
The provider and manager monitored the quality of the service to make sure they delivered a high standard of care. People and relatives were encouraged to provide feedback.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 24 August 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.