Archived: Knights Templar Court

One person said 'I love living here, it's my home. I'm easy going. They don't say you can't have this or that. I do make choices. I choose what time I get up and go to bed'. Other comments included "well I'm quite happy here" and 'I made up my own mind to move into a home. I can always get help if I need it here. I choose what I do, I don't have to rely on staff that much".

People we spoke with said they chose how to spend their time and that staff provided the care and support they needed. Some people prefer the privacy of their own room rather than using the communal areas. One person told us "I try to split my time between my own room and the lounge". Other comments included 'I am here, in my own room, all the time really' and 'I prefer to be alone. Staff come to check on me, mostly when I call them'.

People had varying views of the plans the new owners and manager have for the service. One person said 'only vague rumours of everything being changed, I don't know if it will ever come to pass'. Another person told us 'I don't know anything about the plans for the home. It's all over the place. Before there was somebody here and you knew who was in charge. Now you're just up in the air, you don't know what's what these days'. One person said of the new owners and manager 'you don't see them to talk to really, just hello how are you'.

Some people told us that they were able to make decisions about the care and support they received. One person said 'I see my GP when I want. I asked him to take my blood pressure the last time he came as I wanted it checked'. Another person told us 'oh yes, I choose. If you are not well they get the doctor to see you'.

For others it was difficult to make some decisions. One person said 'I just don't know about some things. It's so hard to gather my thoughts these days, I just can't seem to do it'. One person we asked about the care and support they received told us 'it's alright. Sometimes it's difficult to make a choice'.

People who live in the home told us they felt generally well cared for. Some people said staff were not always available when they need them. One person said 'I'm ok and staff are fine. They come to check on me. I use my call bell but you have to wait sometimes as they don't seem to have many staff on'.

Other comments included 'the staff are ok but they don't always come when you ring for them. It's going to be like this unless they get some more people doing the job. I'm in my room all the time. I have been out once or twice, but there aren't many staff' and 'they only have two staff on, makes things a bit thin sometimes. I look after myself to a certain extent and choose what I do, so generally it's ok. They could be more on hand or more visible. If two of them go to help someone you may not see them for ages but you can't expect everything how you want it'.

During our visits we saw staff answering people's call bells. Generally these were answered reasonably quickly. We did note that as the number of people in the home had reduced, staffing levels had remained the same.

During our visits we spent time observing staff interacting with people who live in the home; these were kind, respectful and unhurried. Assistance with personal care needs was conducted in a manner which respected peoples' dignity and privacy.

We asked people about the food and drinks in the home. One person told us "the food is adequate. You do have a choice and staff ask you each day. Today it was chicken or salad". Another person said 'the food is not too bad. They come and ask what you are going to have today, you have two choices. The staff know what I prefer to eat'.

One person told us they needed a special diet and this was known and catered for. 'I can't eat certain foods. I have talked about this with my personal carer (meaning their keyworker) and today she brought me a smaller portion as that's what I wanted'.

People do receive care which is properly co-ordinated with other health or social care professionals. People said they are able to see their GP when they need to and they also see other professionals such as district nursing staff.

One person said 'if you are not well they get the doctor to see you'. Another person told us 'I had a horrendous cough and they asked my GP to come and see me. It's a tremendous help'.

People spoken with during our visits told us that they felt safe and well cared for. We asked one person if they felt safe living at the home and they said 'oh yes I do'. Another person told us 'I am safe here. I couldn't live on my own again I know that. The staff have done so much for me here'. None of the people we spoke with during our visits raised any concerns about their safety with us.

People told us staff give them their medicines when they need them. One person does keep some of their medicines in their own room and is responsible for taking them. We spoke with them and they told us they have a safe place to store them in their own room. Staff check that they are taking them and are 'always around if there are any problems'.

We observed people being assisted with their medicines during our visits. The staff member supported people in a polite way. They explained what each medicine was for, took their time and ensured that each person had taken their medicines before helping the next person.

People we spoke with said the home is kept fresh and clean. They are encouraged to bring in personal items, pictures and photographs to help make their rooms personal to them and more homely. They can choose where to spend their day. We saw that some people chose to use the communal areas of the home whilst others preferred the privacy of their own room.

One person told us 'this is my room; it's my home now really. All the things in here are mine' and another said 'I brought in my own furniture and chairs from home when I moved in. I don't need anything else, I have everything I need I think'.

Some people who live in the home use mobility aids. One person told us 'I use a frame in my room. If I need to go out of my room or in the garden staff help me by using a wheelchair'. Another person said 'I have a walking frame but I don't really use it as I find it very difficult to use. The staff help me by using a wheelchair'.

People spoken with during our visits were positive about the staff team. One person told us "staff are fine" and another person said "all the staff are wonderful".

Throughout our visits we saw staff interacting and communicating with people who live at the home. Staff communicated with people in a kind and professional manner and always appeared to have time for them. There was a relaxed atmosphere in the home. Staff knew people well and understood their care and support needs.

People spoken with during our visits told us that they felt safe and well cared for. Some people who live in the home we spoke with said they know they are able to complain if they are concerned or unhappy about any aspect of the care and support they receive. Others did not know they would be making a complaint but said they would speak to someone if they were unhappy.

One person said the Deputy Manager 'is very good if anything is wrong. My daughter would see them if I didn't want to'. Another person told us 'if I was unhappy I've got my daughter. I could talk to [two specific] members of staff. I haven't had any problems though'. Read the full inspection report (PDF)