The Gables

Updated 29 April 2021

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.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 18 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 29 April 2021

About the service: The Gables is a residential care home that is registered to provide accommodation and personal care to a maximum of 43 people. At the time of our inspection, 30 people were living there, some of whom were living with dementia. Accommodation was provided over four floors.

People’s experience of using this service:

Auditing processes were in place to enable the service to identify where improvement was needed and in the main these were effective. However, we found some further improvements were needed to ensure risk assessments and care plans were accurate and sufficiently detailed.

People’s end of life wishes were not always documented fully so staff knew how to deliver care effectively, and we have made a recommendation about this.

Staff gained consent before assisting people with their care. Improvements were needed to ensure the service was fully adhering to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Best interests decisions were not always in place where people lacked capacity to consent to some restrictions.

We have made a recommendation that the provider reviews best practice guidance to ensure that the building is designed and decorated in a way that supports people living with dementia.

Staffing levels were in the process of being reviewed by the provider. The registered manager had identified a need for extra staff at night. Following our inspection, an additional staff member was added, and we were informed the provider was also reviewing staffing levels during the day to ensure they were adequate. We observed that staff were available to people when they needed assistance.

People told us and we observed that staff were kind and caring in their interactions with them. Staff knew people well and used effective techniques to reassure people.

The registered manager and provider were responsive to feedback from the inspection, promptly taking action where needed to improve. They were open and transparent and created a culture which was friendly and welcoming.

Staff understood the need to keep people safe from abuse and what was required to do this. Recruitment procedures were robust to ensure staff were suitable for the role.

Health care professionals were involved in people’s care and referrals were made promptly.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated ‘Good’ (Report published 15 December 2016).

Why we inspected:

We inspected this service in line with our inspection schedule for services currently rated ‘Good’.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the intelligence we receive about this service and plan to inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk