Archived: Kay Hitch Way

We spoke with the registered manager and two members of staff. We reviewed records relating to the management of the home which included training records, records of fire drills, management audits. We visited the laundry room to monitor improvements required regarding the safe storage of hazardous substances. .

This is a summary of our findings. If you would like to see the evidence supporting this summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in making sure that hazardous substances were safely stored. The provider had ensured that staff were kept up to date with fire safety training and were aware of the procedures regarding fire drills. Management audits were in place to monitor the service.

Is the service well led?

Management audits were in place to monitor the service. Surveys were being sent to people who used the service and their family/representatives to gather their opinions about the care and support being provided.

Opportunities were provided for people to engage in meaningful social and recreational activities. People told us that they had enough to do each day and enjoyed what they did. They were also supported to access a range of health care services.

There was a sufficient amount of different types of equipment to support people’s individual comfort and support needs. People said that they found their bed to be comfortable.

People who were able to verbally tell us said that they liked the staff. Recruitment systems were in place to ensure that people who used the service were protected from unsuitable members of staff.

People who used the service were provided with opportunities to make suggestions about how they wanted to be looked after. There was no formal system in place to ask people's representatives for their views about the service. Work was in progress to remove out-of-date information that was available in people’s individual support and care files. Improvements are needed to ensure that people who used the service were protected against the risk of fire and also the risk of physical harm from accessing laundry detergents.

Overall we found that the provider had taken sufficient action to address the shortfalls in relation to medication recording and administration and was now compliant with this regulation.

All the health and social care professionals who we spoke with told us they would recommend the home as a place to live. One care manager told us, “The quality of care is excellent, and so is communication with staff. The staff themselves are like family to people”.

We found the provider was compliant in four of the five outcomes we assessed. Although people received good quality care from staff who knew them well, minor improvements were required in relation to the administration and recording of medicines to people.