Archived: Stapleton House

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

CQC monitors the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards which applies to care homes. While no applications have needed to be submitted, proper policies and procedures were in place. Relevant staff have been trained to understand when an application should be made and how to submit one.

We saw the practices in the home were safe. There were checks on things that needed checking, staff were careful to ensure fridges in the main kitchens were set to the right temperatures and that fire safety was checked and alarms tested as they should be.

There were issues about the recording, availability, dosage errors, and storage of medication. We have made a compliance action about this.

Is the service effective?

Staff within the home knew the needs of people living there. Much of this information was passed amongst the staff through verbal communication. The records did not reflect this knowledge with gaps in care plan recording, and missing information. We have made a compliance action about this.

Is the service caring?

It was clear from observations and statements from people living there and their relatives that the staff were caring and seem to know the people they care for well. One family told us, 'The staff are lovely and really caring.'

A visiting district nurse told us she had been there when the staff didn't know she was there and commented, 'They always treat the patients well and talk to them with dignity and respect.' She also said the staff 'seem to really know the people living there'.

Is the service responsive?

There was evidence both verbal and recorded that showed the home responded to changing needs of the people living there. Although one family was concerned about how the home was managing their relative's behaviour in terms of her dementia, most people felt that they were listened to. One person told us he was 'treated as an equal by the staff'. A visiting psychologist told us that the home had implemented some of the behaviour techniques he had suggested and this resulted in a positive outcome and an improvement for the person.

Is the service well-led

The registered manager was not at work and wouldn't be for some time. The deputy manager who started in the home just before Christmas was acting in the manager's role whilst she was away. She told us she was still learning the role. We saw significant errors in the administration of medication, and recording which meant the home was not well led. For the home to be well led the provider should ensure the acting manager has comprehensive support until she has learned her role.

Those people living in the home we spoke with said that they were happy with the service provided by the staff. One person told us "Things are fine, I like living here" and that they felt safe and 'Looked after really well". Another said "The staff are lovely". One visitor told us she thought the service was "Good" and she was "Impressed with the Manager who is really pleasant and supportive", she said she was happy with the care her relative had received.

Another visitor, when asked about the care being given to their relative, said "The staff always make sure I know about my relatives care and they have got to know her really well'. Both relatives told us they had been involved in developing the care plan and were happy with the content of the document although neither had wanted to see the records on a regular basis.

We spoke with a number of people throughout the day both in their own bedrooms and in small groups who were sitting in the lounge. They told us they were very happy with the service and how much they appreciated the staff and the manager. The told us the food was nice and one said "You should stay for your lunch because you can choose what you like".