We carried out a review of the data available to us about St Catherine Rest 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 St Catherine Rest Home, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
The provider had a process in place to ensure people could visit the service in a safe way to help prevent the spread of infection. This process included creating a scheduling system, taking visitors’ temperature and supporting them to wear appropriate personal protective equipment. The visitation space did not have a window for ventilation but staff would support people and relatives to be socially distanced from each other.
The provider encouraged people to maintain a social distance from each other where possible. A person who had tested positive for coronavirus was isolated in line with national guidelines to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus to others.
The provider had followed national guidance when admitting a person from a designated setting. Further, they had put in additional measures when the person started living at the service to ensure others living there were kept safe. The provider told us staff were aware of how to monitor people for signs of illness.
Whole home testing was being carried out in line with government guidance. The provider knew how to use the care home portal to order enough tests.
The registered manager told us they do not use agency staff and they have enough staff to care for people safely. Staff wellbeing was considered during conversations with the registered manager. The registered manager agreed that refresher training regarding IPC and PPE would be delivered where staff were not always following national guidelines and would increase monitoring to ensure best practice would be followed.
St Catherine Rest Home is a care home that provides residential care for older people and people living with dementia. It is registered for 19 people and at the time of this inspection there were 18 people using the service.
There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 who used the service and their relatives told us the service was safe. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and what to do if they had any concerns and how to report them. Safeguarding training was given to all staff and updated annually.
Risk assessments were thorough and personalised to individual needs and risks. Accidents and incidents were recorded. Staff knew what to do in an emergency situation.
Staffing levels were meeting the needs of the people who used the service and staff demonstrated that they had the relevant knowledge to support people with their care needs.
Recruitment practices were safe and records confirmed this.
Medicines were managed and administered safely and audited on a regular basis. Support workers were provided with medicines training prior to being permitted to administer medicines.
Newly recruited staff received an induction and shadowed more experienced members of staff before they started working on their own. Training for support workers was provided on a regular basis and updated when relevant. Support workers told us the quality of training was good.
Support workers demonstrated an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how they obtained consent on a daily basis. Consent was recorded in people's care plans.
People were supported with maintaining a balanced diet and the people who used the service planned the menu with the chef on a weekly basis and expressed their preferences accordingly.
People were supported to have access to healthcare services and received on-going support. Referrals to healthcare professionals were made where relevant.
Positive relationships were formed between support workers and the people who used the service and support workers demonstrated how well they knew the people they cared for. People who used the service and their relatives told us that support workers were caring and that dignified care was provided.
Care plans were detailed and contained relevant information about people who used the service and their needs such as their preferences and life history. Care plans were reviewed monthly, with any changes being recorded.
Concerns and complaints were listened to and records confirmed this. People who used the service and their relatives told us they knew how to make a complaint.
Quality assurance practices were in place and consisted surveys and audits. The registered manager and deputy manager were engaged with other organisations and had received certificates of recognition for their contributions.
The service was last inspected in May 2016 where breaches 11, 12, 15, 17 and 18 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations were identified. A number of people using the service had their medicine administered covertly; however there were no mental capacity assessments or GP authorisations in their care plans. The medicines fridge was unlocked and the temperature of the medicines storage room was at a high temperature due to being adjacent to the kitchen. Risk assessments were not robust and accidents and incidents were not always recorded. In addition, we found there to be malodour within the home and sharp edges in the corridor. Staff recruitment processes were not always safe and staff had not had training in First Aid or dementia care. The service was rated requires improvement overall.
This inspection took place on the 21 February 2017 and was unannounced. At this inspection we found the provider had addressed some of these issues. However, we found the provider was in breach of three regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (regulated activities) Regulations 2014 and one breach of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009 Notification of Other Incidents. You can see what actions we have asked the provider to take at the end of the full version of this report.
Medicines were not stored safely. The medicine fridge was unlocked and controlled drugs were not being stored in a safe manner.
Risk assessments for one person who was recently placed at the service were not robust.
Cleaning products such as floor cleaner, an adhesive and a box of nails were being stored in an unlocked cabinet underneath a sink. There was a large pile of bricks and rubble at the back of the garden and the gate leading to neighbours garden was unlocked leaving people who used the service at risk.
Accidents and incidents were not being reported to the Care Quality Commissions and neither were authorisations for people under Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Staff recruitment was safe and staff received on-going training in areas that were relevant to their role.
Care staff were aware of what to do if they had any safeguarding concerns and people who used the service told us they felt safe.
Staffing levels were suitable for the needs of people who used the service.
People were supported to have enough to eat and drink in line with their preferences and people were supported to have access to healthcare services. Referrals to healthcare professionals were made as required.
People and their relatives told us the service was caring and people were involved in their own care planning and making decisions. People told us their privacy was respected and they were supported to be independent.
Care plans were detailed with people’s wishes and preferences and they were reviewed on a regular basis.
Concerns and complaints were encouraged and people who used the service knew how to make a complaint.
At our last inspection on 15 and 16 December 2015, we found two breaches of the legal requirements and asked the service to make improvements to ensure there were effective arrangements in place for the proper and safe management of medicines, and that persons employed at the service received appropriate support and supervision as is necessary to enable them to carry out the duties they are employed to perform.
This inspection took place following concerns raised by the London Ambulance Service about the service on 12 May 2016. We carried out a responsive inspection on 13 May 2016 which was unannounced to look at concerns relating to the safety of the service.
We found that the service was not always safe. Risk assessments were not robust or updated according to people’s changing needs. People’s daily records were not updated in a timely manner and accidents and incidents were not recorded consistently.
People requiring covert medicine administration did not have Mental Capacity Assessments or authorisation from their GP’s within in their care plans.
We found the systems in place to ensure the safe management and administration of medicines were not always effective, which was also the case when we inspected the service in December 2015.
Records showed not all staff had completed essential training for their role. Criminal record update checks had not been completed for all staff to ensure they remained safe to work with people which was also the case when we inspected in December 2015. In addition staff references were not in date.
There was no registered manager at the service. 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.
The management structure of the service had recently changed and staff told us that this was having an impact on the home.
Audits were being carried out but were not effective in monitoring the changes in people’s needs.
We found 3 breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider at the back of the full version of the report.
Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to any concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.
St Catherine Rest Home is a care home that provides residential care for older people and people living with dementia. It is registered for 19 people and at the time of this inspection there were 18 people using the service.
There was a registered manager at the service. 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.
We found the systems in place to ensure the safe management and administration of medicines were not always effective. Criminal record update checks had not been completed for all staff to ensure they remained safe to work with people. We found the system of supervision for staff that was in place was irregular which meant staff were not always supported to consistently deliver good care. People who could not stand on the scales were not able to have their weight monitored if there was a concern about their weight because there was no alternative option of weighing them. The building design did not encourage people living with dementia to find their way to and from their room independently. There were policies and procedures in the home which required updating as some information was out-of-date.
Staff knew how to report concerns or abuse. Risk assessments were carried out and management plans put in place to enable people to receive safe care. There were effective and up-to-date systems in place to check and maintain the safety of the premises.
We found safe recruitment checks were in place for new staff. Staff had opportunities for training and skill development. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Mental capacity assessments and best interest’s assessments were being completed in partnership with the local authority. People had access to healthcare professionals as required to meet their day-to-day health needs.
People were offered a choice of nutritious food and drink. Staff knew the people they were supporting including their preferences to ensure a personalised service was provided. People and their families thought staff and the registered manager were caring. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and enabled people to maintain their independence.
The service was in the process of putting together end of life care plans with people and their family members so that their preferences could be documented and followed by staff. There was a variety of activities offered to ensure people had their social and emotional needs met. People and their family members knew how to make a complaint and we found complaints were dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner.
The provider held regular meetings for staff and for people and their families. People and their representatives were able to give feedback through satisfaction surveys. Staff, people and their family members told us the registered manager was supportive. The provider had quality assurance systems in place to identify areas for improvement and these showed when actions had been completed.
We found two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider at the back of the full version of the report.