Victoria Royal Beach

Updated 20 September 2019

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 undertaken by an 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 service.

Service and service type

Victoria Royal Beach 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 service had a manager registered 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

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included information from other agencies and statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about events that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people and three relatives or friends of people living at the home. We spent time observing the care and support people received. We spoke with the provider who is also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with the assistant manager and two care staff. We reviewed a range of records. These included three care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We were sent copies of compliments from people and their relatives who had experience of the service.

Updated 20 September 2019

About the service

Victoria Royal Beach is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 20 people with a range of care needs, including frailty of old age and dementia. At the time of the inspection, 15 people were living at the home. The home accommodates people in one adapted building.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and their relatives felt the home provided a safe environment. People’s risks were identified and assessed, with guidance for staff on mitigating risks, which was followed. Staffing levels were enough to meet people’s needs. Medicines were managed safely. The home was clean and smelled fresh.

People were positive about the skills and experience of staff who supported them. People and their relatives were encouraged to be involved in decisions about their care. A relative said, “We have been involved in care planning. A new format was put in place and this was explained to us”. Staff completed a range of training to meet people’s care and support needs and received regular supervision.

People were supported to have a healthy diet and with their nutrition and hydration needs. The lunchtime meal was enjoyed and special diets were catered for. People were complementary about the food on offer and could choose from a varied menu. A relative said, “The food appears good and [named person] has never complained. It’s clear choices are offered”.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were looked after by kind and caring staff who knew them well. People were treated with dignity and respect. One person said, “The staff are all lovely and know how to look after people”.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. Activities were organised and a range of entertainers visited the home. People could spend the rest of their lives at the home, if their needs could be met and this was their wish.

People felt the provider and management team were approachable and friendly. One person said, “It’s a well-run home. Staff know what they are doing. The manager is on holiday at the moment; she is very helpful to residents and staff. The owner joins in with the life of the home”. Residents’ meetings took place and feedback was welcomed.

Staff felt supported by the management team in their roles. Staff meetings took place and enabled staff to reflect on their working practice and to discuss any issues or concerns.

A system of audits monitored and measured all aspects of the home and were used to drive improvement. The home worked proactively with health and social care professionals.

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 17 January 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.