Archived: Amarna House

We found that safe staffing levels at the home were being maintained, although this did involve staff covering extra shifts and the frequent use of agency staff to cover vacancies and sickness. However, the home's manager was able to demonstrate that they were in the process of recruiting new staff and explained how they tried to use the same agency staff where possible to increase continuity of care.

We found that where people were at risk from falls, the home had systems in place to monitor, manage and minimise the potential risks to people's welfare. Records we looked at regarding medication showed people received their medication appropriately.

We did not speak directly to people about their care on this occasion. However, we did observe people during our visit to the home and saw that some people were sitting in various lounges chatting, whilst other people were being nursed in their rooms. We observed that people looked well cared for.

We looked at people's care records. They included nutritional assessments and evidence that people's weight was monitored regularly. We saw that each person was weighed on a monthly basis and any concerns/special arrangements were discussed with the individual person/family/or relevant healthcare professionals.

People told us the staff were very good and well trained. However, when we asked people if there was enough staff we received a mix response. People (which included people living at the home, staff and relatives) on the general nursing unit told us that there was sufficient staff. However, on the residential and nursing dementia units, people told us, that at certain times they felt they needed extra staff.

Staff received appropriate professional development. We spoke with a staff on the individual units. They told us they felt supported by colleagues and management at the home

The provider had systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received. This included audits by the manager within the home and audits by the organisation, HC-One.

During this visit we observed how staff interacted with people and we spoke with people generally and with one person's representative. No concerns were raised with us. One person we spoke with said 'I feel safe here. They look after me. The staff are really good.' Another person said 'Everything is fine.' We saw that people looked well cared for.