Archived: Priorsmead

There was a registered manager in post. 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. The current registered manager had been running the home for five years when we inspected.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good:

Staff continued to protect people from the risk of harm and abuse. They understood their obligation to report any concerns or suspicions promptly. The management team or senior staff assessed risks to people's health and welfare and staff knew what action to take to minimise these. There were enough staff to support people safely and they were properly recruited. This contributed to protecting people from the employment of staff who were not suitable to work in care services. Medicines were managed in a safe way so that people received them to promote their health as the prescriber intended.

Staff continued to support people competently. People were supported to have choice and control of their lives and in the least restrictive way possible. Staff training and guidance promoted this practice. People had a choice of enough to eat and drink and staff supported them to do so if they needed assistance. Staff monitored people who were at risk of not eating or drinking enough and ensured people could access advice about this and other aspects of their health and welfare.

Staff continued to develop warm and compassionate relationships with people so that people received a service that was caring. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity. People were able to receive visits from friends and family when they wished, and could involve them in discussions about care if they wanted to.

Staff continued to deliver care that was responsive to people's preferences and wishes. Staff knew about people's likes and dislikes, backgrounds and interests. This contributed to people receiving care that was focused on their individual needs. People were confident that any complaints they had would be listened to and responded to.

The service continued to be well-led. There were effective systems for checking and monitoring the quality and safety of the service, which took into account people's views. There was a registered manager in post with considerable experience both in the role and within Priorsmead. They were supported by a deputy manager. They and members of the staff team understood their roles and responsibilities and were well-motivated to sustain standards.

Further information is in the detailed findings of the report.

Our observations showed us that staff members were responsive to the needs of people and that they were given the support and attention they needed. We saw that people had a positive experience of being included in conversations, decision making and activities.

We found that plans of care contained the information staff members needed to ensure that the health and safety of people was promoted and protected.

People spoken with and their relatives told us that people were safe, provided with the care and support they needed and that the staff were, 'Wonderful and kind.'

Medication was administered, recorded and stored accurately and safely.

People living in the home and their relatives told us that adequate staffing levels were provided and staff absence was covered.

The records held were complete and up to date and ensured that staff members had access to information that protected people and ensured their needs were met.