Archived: Amerind Grove Care Home

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

The provider had announced before this inspection that they would be closing. People and their relatives were being supported to find other homes that could meet people’s needs. Some people had already started to move to other homes.

People living at Amerind Grove Care Home told us they received safe care.

People’s care records specified whether people needed staff to support them to change their position regularly. However, the positional change charts in place did not always show that people had their position changed in line with the guidance recorded in care records. The care records for a person with a pressure sore contained a photograph of their wound. However, there was nothing documented on the photo to confirm it was the person, or the date the photograph was taken. Additionally, there was no measuring tool in the photograph. This meant it was difficult to assess the actual dimensions of the wound which would help the staff to monitor healing.

People were protected from abuse by staff who understood how to identify and report any concerns. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines as prescribed. There were enough staff on duty and staff were recruited safely.

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.

Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the home. However, we did identify some shortfalls with record keeping which we feedback at the inspection. This was in relation to medicines records, positional charts and wound care records.

The home was led by a registered manager, clinical lead and a wider management team. There was a clear management structure in place with some long-standing staff in post. The staff told us that morale at the home was low, since the provider had announced the closure of the home. It was evident the staff were committed to providing good care to people despite the challenges they faced. We were told by the provider that they were working closely with staff at the home to ensure that they were being supported during this difficult time.

Amerind Grove Care Home was re-registered under a new legal entity in January 2017 and this is the first inspection of the service since then.

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.

People were safe. Staff received safeguarding adults training and knew what to do if there were concerns about a person’s welfare. They knew how to report any concerns they may have regarding the health and welfare of people. When concerns had been raised the service cooperated with the local authority in any investigations that had taken place. The service encouraged the staff to speak up if they had any concerns.

Risk assessments were completed as part of the care planning process. Where risks were identified there were plans in place to reduce or eliminate the risk. We saw staff performing safe moving and handling procedures during the inspection. For each person a personal emergency evacuation plan was written detailing the level of support the person would need in the case of an emergency. The risks of employing unsafe staff were reduced because of robust staff recruitment procedures.

The premises were well maintained. Regular maintenance checks were completed to ensure the building and facilities were safe. Checks were also made of the fire safety systems, the hot and cold water temperatures and equipment to make sure they were safe for staff and people to use. The management of medicines was safe meaning that people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staffing levels in each of the bungalows were regularly reviewed and amended to ensure the staff were able to meet all care and support needs. The number of staff on duty took account of the level of dependency of each person and any additional activities that were planned to take place. Staff confirmed they had enough time to meet people’s needs although there were times in the day when things were very busy.

Medicines were managed safely and there were safe systems in place for the ordering, receipt, storage, administration and disposal of medicines.

The home was clean tidy and fresh smelling. One of the bungalows has had two outbreaks of infections and the staff took the appropriate action to prevent further spread.

The service was effective. There was a robust induction training programme for new staff and those new-to-care staff completed the Care Certificate. There was a mandatory training programme for all other staff to complete to ensure they had the necessary skills and knowledge to care for people correctly.

The capacity of each person to make decisions was assessed as part of the care planning process and they were always asked to consent before receiving care. People were encouraged to make their own choices about aspects of their daily life. We found the service to be meeting the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

People were provided with sufficient quantities of food and drink and asked about their likes and dislikes. Specific dietary needs were catered for. Where people were at risk of losing weight, the staff monitored this regularly. There were good arrangements in place to ensure people saw their GP and other healthcare professionals as and when needed.

The service was caring. Staff had good working relationships with the people they were looking after and showed genuine care in their approach to people and their families. People were kept at the centre of all decisions made about their care and they were listened to. Any suggestions they made were acted upon.

People were given the opportunity to take part in a range of different meaningful social activities. There were group activities and external entertainers visited the service on a regular basis.

The service was very responsive to people’s individual care needs and adjusted the service delivery when people’s care needs changed. The service was particularly good at taking into account the person’s previous life and had forged many meaningful links with the local community. There were good assessment and care planning arrangements in place, which meant people were provided with a person centred service that met their own care and support needs.

The service was well led. The staff team was led by an experienced and enthusiastic registered manager and a senior management team. There was good leadership for the staff. Staff meetings ensured they were kept up to date with changes and developments in the service.

There was a regular programme of audits in place, which ensured that the quality and safety of the service was checked. These checks were completed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.