Background to this inspection
Updated
16 March 2017
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 19 January 2017 and was unannounced.
The inspection was carried out by an inspector, a pharmacy inspector, a specialist advisor and an expert-by-experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Before the inspection we gathered information about the service by contacting the local and placing authorities. In addition, we reviewed records held by CQC which included notifications, complaints and any safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern at the inspection.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
As part of our inspection we spoke to nine people and one relative. We spoke to the manager and four members of staff. We observed how staff cared for people and worked together. We read care plans for seven people, medicines records and the records of accidents and incidents. We looked at mental capacity assessments and applications made to deprive people of their liberty.
We looked at four staff recruitment files and records of staff training and supervision. We saw records of quality assurance audits. We looked at a selection of policies and procedures and health and safety audits. We also looked at minutes of meetings of staff and residents.
Updated
16 March 2017
This inspection took place on 19 January 2017 and was unannounced.
Stokefield Care Home provides care and accommodation for up to 30 older people, some of whom are living with dementia.
There was not a registered manager in place. The new manager was in the process of becoming registered. 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.
At our last inspection we found breaches of regulation. At this inspection we found actions had been taken to ensure the regulations had been met and the service had improved.
People’s medicines were administered safely by trained staff. People had access to a variety of healthcare professionals and staff worked alongside them to ensure people’s needs were met. Staff had undertaken training specific to the needs of the people that they were supporting.
People were given choices and involved in their care by staff. People were prepared food in line with their preferences and dietary requirements. People could engage in a variety of activities, events and outings. People’s cultural and religious needs were catered for by staff.
Staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005). In most cases, the correct process was followed when placing restrictions upon people. We recommended that the provider reviews their MCA records to ensure that the correct legal process is always followed.
People were supported by staff that knew them well. Care plans were person centred and contained important information about people’s lifestyle, background and preferences. The manager undertook regular audits to ensure records were up to date and clear for staff.
People and staff got along well and caring interactions we observed were mostly positive. We observed one staff member speaking to someone in a way that was not considerate of their needs. We recommended that the provider ensures that all staff are considerate and respectful.
Staff understood their roles in protecting people from abuse. When recruiting staff, checks were undertaken to ensure that they were suitable for their roles. There were sufficient staff present to meet people’s needs.
Risks to people were assessed and measures were in place to protect people. Where incidents happened, actions were taken to keep people safe and prevent them from reoccurring.
People lived in an inclusive atmosphere in which they were involved in decisions about their home. Staff encouraged people to be independent and to make choices. The provider regularly sought people’s feedback and people were aware of how to make a complaint. Complaints were responded to appropriately by the manager.
Staff felt supported by management and could make suggestions to improve the lives of people living at the home. Staff provided support in a way that promoted people’s privacy and dignity.
Plans were in place to support people in the event of an emergency. Regular audits were undertaken to ensure the safety of the premises and equipment.