31 October 2012
During a routine inspection
Many of the people living with dementia were unable to directly express their views so we observed the interactions between them and staff using our Short Observational Framework for inspection tool (SOFI). People were exercising, singing, laughing and chatting as an activity took place. They continued to do so even after the activity had ceased.
We observed that staff were respectful in their approach to people. One relative said "They are very good. The care they've given to her is excellent." Another relative said "They had everything ready for her when we came in. She looks clean and nicely dressed; she wasn't always so when she was at home."
The provider had put in place robust quality checks of the medication system, including regular visits by the pharmacist supplying the medication to the home and daily audits by the management team.
The rota was available and this showed that there sufficient staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the service.
The home had not received any complaints for investigation but there was a system in place that provided a process for managing any complaints made. We saw that people had made compliments about the service. One person had written "I was always happy to leave her in your care."