Warm Melody Retreat

Updated 29 September 2021

The inspection:

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team:

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

Service and service type:

Ocean Retreat is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service did not have a current registered manager in post as they had recently left. The provider had plans in place for appointing a new registered manager for the service. The registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

This inspection was unannounced. Before entering the premises, we checked the service was set up as safely as possible to accommodate an inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We reviewed statutory notifications submitted by the provider. Statutory notifications contain information providers are required to send to us about significant events that take place within services. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service. We observed interactions between people and staff. We also carried out checks of the premises. We spoke with the deputy manager, the nominated individual and a care support worker. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed a range of records including two people’s care records, medicines stock and records, two staff records and other records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We contacted two relatives and two healthcare professionals about their experiences of the service. We continued to speak with the deputy manager and nominated individual and sought clarification about the evidence gathered. We also reviewed additional documentation relating to the management of the service.

Updated 29 September 2021

About the service

Ocean Retreat is a residential care home which can support up to four people in one adapted building. The service specialises in supporting people with mental health needs. There were three people using the service at the time of this inspection.

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

People were safe at the service. Staff had been trained to safeguard people from abuse and knew how to manage risks to people to keep them safe. There were enough staff to support people. Recruitment and criminal records checks had been undertaken on staff to make sure they were suitable to support people.

People had a choice of comfortable spaces to spend time in at Ocean Retreat. The provider adapted the premises when needed to meet people’s needs. The premises were clean and tidy. Staff followed current hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections. Visitors to the service were given information to help them reduce the risk of catching and spreading infection. Health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out at regular intervals.

People were involved in planning their care and support and could state their preferences for how their care was provided. Staff knew people well and understood how their needs should be met. They were provided relevant training to help them meet people’s needs. Staff were supported by the provider to continuously improve their working practices to help people achieve positive outcomes.

Staff were kind and caring and respected people’s rights to privacy and to be treated with dignity. People were supported to be as independent as they could be with daily living tasks. They were helped to undertake activities and interests they were interested in and to maintain relationships with the people important to them. Relatives were free to visit family members without unnecessary restrictions.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported to stay healthy and well. Staff helped people eat and drink enough to meet their needs, to take their prescribed medicines and to manage their healthcare and mental health needs. Recommendations from healthcare professionals were acted on so that people received the care and support they needed in relation to their healthcare and mental health needs.

People were satisfied with the quality of care and support they received. People knew how to make a complaint if needed. The provider had arrangements in place to make sure any accidents, incidents and complaints were investigated and people kept involved and informed of the outcome.

The provider encouraged people and staff to have their say about how the service could improve. They used this feedback along with regular audits and checks, to monitor, review and improve the quality and safety of the support provided.

The service worked proactively with other agencies and healthcare professionals. The provider acted on their recommendations to improve the quality and safety of the service for people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 11/07/2018. The service was first inspected on 13/03/2019 and then again on 16/09/2019. We were not able to rate the service on either occasion as we were unable to obtain sufficient evidence of consistent good practice to do so. You can read the reports from these inspections on our website.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the length of time since the service registered with the CQC.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.