10 May 2016
During a routine inspection
River View Care Centre provides accommodation for up to 137 people who may be living with dementia and need personal and nursing care. The service was purpose built as a care home and provides accommodation over three floors. The service is divided into seven individual units, two on the ground floor, three on the first floor and two on the second floor. There is a well maintained garden which provides safe outdoor space for people to enjoy.
At the time of the inspection there were 95 people living at the service. There was a registered manager in post 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People living at River View Care Centre received safe, high quality care from staff who knew them well. There were sufficient staff with the appropriate skills and knowledge to support people in a safe and effective manner.
People and when appropriate their relatives had been involved in planning the support and care they required. Staff encouraged people to communicate their wishes and respected the choices they made.
People were treated with kindness and compassion. They were respected and had their privacy and dignity maintained by staff who understood and were trained in these values.
A programme of activities was available and people were supported to take part in those of interest to them. Social and celebratory activities were enjoyed by many people living at the service.
Staff were well supported by the senior staff and the registered manager. They spoke highly of the guidance they received and felt valued and listened to. Staff had received appropriate and regular training to equip them to provide support and care to people effectively.
Staff were knowledgeable with regard to safeguarding people and their responsibilities. They were confident any concerns raised would be dealt with promptly by the management team.
People’s right to make decisions was protected. Staff understood their responsibilities and worked in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. When people’s freedom had been restricted for their own safety appropriate authorisations were in place under the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Visitors were welcomed at the service. There were no restrictions on visiting times and people were encouraged to maintain relationships important to them.
People had a choice of food and drink which they enjoyed. When necessary their nutrition was monitored to help ensure their well-being. If people required support to eat and drink this was provided in a safe, unhurried manner.
People received appropriate health care support. Health and social care professionals were contacted promptly and appropriate referrals were made when people required specialist support.
There was an open, calm and friendly atmosphere in the service. The registered manager and the provider carried out checks and audits to monitor the quality of the service. People were asked for feedback on their experience of the service and any concerns were addressed appropriately.