We carried out a review of the data available to us about St Anthony's Residential Home (Erdington) Ltd on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about St Anthony's Residential Home (Erdington) Ltd, you can give feedback on this service.
St Anthony’s is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 34 people, some of whom may be living with dementia. The service can support up to 39 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received their medicines as prescribed, but medicines were not consistently stored safely. Staff had received training in how to protect people from the spread of infection, but not all staff consistently followed the correct guidance with regard to the wearing and disposal of PPE [personal protective equipment].
People felt safe and were supported by staff who were aware of their responsibilities to act and report on any signs of abuse. Where safeguarding concerns had been raised, they had been dealt with appropriately and lessons were learnt.
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. Staff were aware of the risks to people and how to support them safely.
The manager had recognised the need to provide staff with additional training to ensure they supported people safely and effectively. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who responded to their needs in a timely manner. Accidents and incidents were reported and acted on appropriately and the information was analysed for any themes or trends and lessons to be learnt.
Quality assurance audits were in place to provide the manager with oversight of the service. Where areas for improvement had been identified, an action plan was put in place in order to address concerns in a timely manner and drive improvement. Staff told us they felt supported and listened to and spoke positively of the changes introduced by the new manager and the provider.
People were happy with the service they received, and their opinions were listened to, valued and acted on.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published 12 June 2019).
Why we inspected
We received concerns in relation to moving and handling practices, staff training and staff practice in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
The overall rating for the service has remained the same. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvement. Please see the safe section of this full report.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern as the provider took immediate action to mitigate the risks.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for St Anthonys Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.
St Anthony’s is a residential care home, at the time of the inspection were providing personal care to 36 older people who may also be living with dementia. The service can support up to 39 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
There were a lack of effective systems and processes in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided. Regular audits were not taking place which would provide the management with reassurances that people were being cared for safely and in line with their care needs. Accidents and incidents were not routinely analysed and opportunities were lost for lessons to be learnt. Medicine management protocols were not routinely followed including ensuring the safe storage of medicines. Risk assessments were lacking in detail and did not provide staff with the detailed information on how to support people safely.
People felt safe and were supported by staff who had received training in how to recognise signs of abuse.
People were involved in the planning of their care and were supported by a consistent group of staff who felt well trained and supported in their role. Staff were provided with opportunities to raise any concerns they may have and felt their voice was heard. Staff were confident that if they did raise concerns, they would be responded to and acted on appropriately.
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. Staff obtained people’s consent prior to offering support.
People were happy with the care and support they received and were complimentary about the service.
People commented positively about food that was on offer and were provided with a choice of meals on a daily basis. People had access to drinks throughout the day to ensure they remained hydrated.
Staff were aware of people’s healthcare needs and liaised with other healthcare professionals to support their wellbeing.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect and were mindful of respecting people’s privacy. People described staff as ‘kind, caring and compassionate’. Staff knew people well, took the time to interact with them, listen to them and ensure they were involved in decisions regarding their care.
People were involved in making choices about their care and support on a daily basis. Staff knew people well and what they told us was reflected in people’s care records.
People were supported and encouraged to take part in a variety of activities that were of interest to them. Efforts were made to ensure people were supported to maintain friendships and relationships with family members and access the community on a regular basis. People living at the service had a voice. They were listened to, their opinions mattered and were noted and responded to.
People had no complaints and were highly complimentary of the service. Where complaints had been received they had been responded to appropriately and action was taken.
People were very happy with the service they received and considered it to be well-led. The provider was a well known figure throughout the service and was highly thought of by people living at the service, relatives and staff alike.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The last rating for this service was Good (published 5 October 2016)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the ‘Safe’ and ‘Well Led’ sections of this full report.
You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
During the inspection, we found the provider took action to mitigate the risks identified
The overall rating for the service has changed from Good to Requires Improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for St Anthony’s Residential Home (Erdington) on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Enforcement
We have identified a breach in relation to good governance at this inspection. The provider did not have systems and processes in place which would provide them with full oversight of the service.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
St Anthony’s Residential Home is registered to provide accommodation and support for 37 older people who may also be living with dementia. On the day of our visit, there were 37 people living in the home.
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 protected from the risk of abuse because the provider ensured that staff had received the training they needed so that they could recognise and respond to the risk of abuse.
People were supported by staff that were kind and caring and who took the time to get to know people. People were cared for by staff that protected their privacy and dignity and respected them as individuals.
People were supported by enough members of staff who had been safely recruited and received adequate training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills they required to do their job effectively.
People received care and support with their consent where possible, and the staff ensured that people were supported in the least restrictive ways in order to keep them safe.
People’s dietary needs were assessed and monitored to identify any risks associated with their eating and drinking.
People were supported to receive their medication as prescribed because the provider had systems in place.
People were supported to stay healthy and had access to health care professionals as required.
People could choose how to spend their day and they took part in activities in the home and the community.
People knew who to speak to if they wanted to raise a concern and there were processes in place for responding to complaints.
The provider had systems in place to audit, assess and monitor the quality of the service provided, to ensure that people were benefitting from a service that was continually developing.
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, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This visit was unannounced, which meant the provider and staff did not know we were coming. At the last inspection on 10 December 2013 we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to how staff were recruited and this action has been completed. We looked at staff recruitment and found that suitable checks were now carried out before staff started working in the home, to ensure that new staff were suitable to work with people who used the service.
St Anthony’s Residential Home is registered to provide accommodation and support for 34 older people who may also have a dementia related condition. On the day of our visit, there were 32 people living in the home. The home is located on the outskirts of Birmingham and has access to public transport and there are a range of shops within walking distance of the service.
In this report, the name of the registered manager, Miss Jennifer Elizabeth Mary Julia Smith appears who was not in post and not managing the regulatory activities at this location at the time of the inspection. Their name appears because they were still identified as the registered manager on our register at the time of our visit. The provider has recruited a new manager who started working in the service and had been in post for one week at the time of our visit. It is their intention to apply to become the registered manager for the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and shares the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.
We saw staff smiling and laughing with people and joining in activities in the home. People received visitors throughout the day and we saw they were welcomed and participated in daily events. People told us they could visit at any time and were always made to feel welcome. One visitor told us, “You’re never left waiting at the door. You’re greeted with a smile and always welcomed. We come every day and speak with everyone here. It’s like one big family.”
People were dressed in their own style and if they needed support, staff helped people to take a pride in their appearance and dress in their personal style. People were supported to have their personal care needs met. One person told us, “I like to look nice. I never know when I’m going to have visitors. It’s important to always look your best.” The staff understood how people wanted to be supported and ensured people’s privacy and dignity.
People could choose how to spend their day and they took part in activities in the home and the community. People were supported to participate in their hobbies and interests which included knitting, talking about news, attending religious services and shopping. People we spoke with told us they enjoyed the activities and one person told us, “It’s good to be with friends and do things you like. Sometimes we just chat about the news and life. I like knitting. I’d forgotten how to do it, so it was good to pick it up again.”
Staff received specific training to meet the needs of people using the service. Staff received support from the management team to develop their skills and use their knowledge to enhance the lives of people using the service. One person using the service told us, “They all know what they are doing. I’ve every confidence in them. I’ve no complaints.”
People knew who to speak to if they wanted to raise a concern and there were processes in place for responding to complaints. People we spoke with told us they were happy with the service provided and how staff provided their support. One person told us, “You can’t keep quiet. If something’s bothering you then you just say. The staff want to know about us and I know they always put things right.”
Some people who used the service did not have the ability to make decisions about some parts of their care and support. Staff had an understanding of the systems in place to protect people who could not make decisions and followed the legal requirements outlined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
All staff spoken to was able to tell us about people's needs and records seen confirmed that staff were knowledgeable about the people they cared for. We saw positive interactions between staff and people that lived at the home. One person said, 'I talk a lot to my keyworker and we discuss my care.'
Systems were in place to ensure that people were safeguarded from harm. People told us they felt safe living there. One person said, 'It's very safe here.'
People told us that they did not have any concerns about the staff that provided their care and support. One person said,' Lovely staff really lovely.' Recruitment procedures were in place to check people's suitability to work in the service. However, we found that new staff had commenced working in the home without all checks been completed. This meant people were not safeguarded from being cared for by unsuitable staff.
Staff spoken with told us they felt supported by the manager, and had regular training so they knew how to support the people living there. One staff said, 'There are lots of training opportunities here.'
There were systems in place to monitor how the home was run, to ensure people received a quality service.