We carried out a review of the data available to us about The Valleys Care Home 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 The Valleys Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
The Valleys Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 84 people, including people living with dementia, mental health needs and physical disabilities. The service was supporting 69 people at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Systems were in place to record, store and receive medicines, However, information to support staff to safely administer medicines was not always available. We have made a recommendation about the safe management of medicines. Staff were trained and supported in their role to administer medicines.
People received the care and support they needed to be safe, however, staff were stretched at busy times of the day. We have made a recommendation the provider continues to monitor staffing levels within the service.
People had access to enough food and drink throughout the day. However, due to mealtimes occurring at the same time across all 4 units, people did not always receive support in a timely manner. We have made a recommendation about the deployment of staff at mealtimes.
The service was well managed and led. Audits and checks were used to monitor the service provided and support continuous improvements. The registered manager was aware of the inconsistencies of daily recording by staff and plans were in place to improve this. We have made a recommendation the provider continues to embed governance systems.
Recruitment systems were robust and ensured the right staff were recruited to keep people safe.
The service had effective safeguarding systems in place and concerns were managed promptly.
Risk assessments were person centred and contained enough information to guide staff in their practice. There was a culture of learning from accidents and incidents.
Infection prevention and control was managed well. Some areas of the home required decorating; however, the provider had an action plan in place outlining timescales for further re-furbishment and minor repairs.
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.
The provider and the registered manager were passionate and enthusiastic about promoting person-centred care. They had an improvement plan in place to monitor quality. The culture of the service was positive, and staff felt supported. Feedback from people and relatives was positive.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 30 May 2022) and there were breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
At our last inspection we recommended the provider reviews their systems and processes for reporting safeguarding concerns, calculating staffing levels and staff training and supervision. We also recommended the provider reviewed how activities were provided to ensure there was equality for all people using the service. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on our recommendations and made improvements.
Why we inspected
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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
We carried out an unannounced inspection of this service on 13 and 20 April 2022. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection, we found some improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of safe care and treatment and good governance.
We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe, Effective, Responsive and Well-led which contain those requirements. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.
The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. 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 The Valleys on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
The Valleys Care Home is a nursing home providing personal and nursing care to 84 people, including people living with dementia, mental health needs, physical disabilities. The service was supporting 73 people at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People did not always receive safe care and medicines were not managed safely. Discrepancies in stocks of medicines had been identified meaning some people had not received the correct medication.
Information about risks and safety were not always identified or up to date. There were limited systems in place to record, manage and report concerns about risks. Accidents and incidents were not always investigated Lessons were not always learned or shared with staff.
Safeguarding policies and procedures were not fully embedded, and the service was not always fully engaged with local safeguarding systems. Staff understood their role in safeguarding people from abuse. We recommend the provider reviews their systems and processes for reporting of safeguarding incidents.
People received the care and support they needed to be safe, but staff did not always have the time or availability to be flexible to people’s changing needs. We recommend the provider reviews their staffing levels to meet the needs of individuals.
The provider recruitment process ensured suitable staff supported people. However, the service did not have a consistent approach to support staff to maintain their professional skills and knowledge. We recommend the provider has a system in place to ensure staff receive the appropriate support to carry out their duties.
People were not always supported to engage in person centred activities to help them maintain hobbies and interests. We recommend the provider reviews how activities are provided to allow all people to have access to them.
Staff have access to and followed clear policies and procedures on infection control that meet current and relevant national guidance.
People were able to access choice and had enough food and drink throughout the day. People and relatives spoke positively about the dining experience and meals on offer. People had access to healthcare professionals when required.
People were supported and treated with dignity and respect and were involved in their care. People and their relatives told us staff were kind and caring, people’s independence was encouraged, and they received person centred care that met their needs and preferences.
Complaints were responded to in an open and clear way. People were supported to make decisions about their choices for end of life care.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 03 April 2019).
This service was registered with us on 26 June 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Enforcement and Recommendations
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.
We have identified breaches in relation to medicines, the safety and quality of the service and the overall leadership and management 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 from 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 continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.