Care service descriptionSt Peters Home offers short and long term residential care for up to 38 older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. The majority of bedrooms are on the ground floor and have en-suite bathrooms. A lift provides easy access for people to the first floor. The service is situated in Margate and has close public transport links. On the days of our inspection there were 28 people living in the service.
Rating at last inspection
At the last inspection the service was rated Good.
Rating at this inspection
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good
People told us they felt safe living at St Peter’s Home. Risks to people were assessed, managed and reviewed and action was taken by staff to keep people as safe as possible. People were protected from the risks of abuse and staff were confident to raise any concerns with the registered manager.
The registered manager followed safe recruitment processes to make sure staff employed were of good character and safe to work with people. There were sufficient numbers of staff on each shift and this was monitored and regularly reviewed. People received effective care from staff who had the knowledge and skills to carry out their roles.
Changes in people’s health were identified quickly and staff contacted people’s health care professionals for support, guidance and advice. People’s medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines in the ways their healthcare professional had prescribed. People were offered a balanced diet and food they liked.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff knew the importance of giving people choices and gaining people’s consent.
Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. The MCA provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. People can only be deprived of their liberty so that they can receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the MCA. The application procedures for this in care homes and hospitals are called DoLS.
People were treated with kindness, compassion, dignity and respect by staff who knew them and their relatives well. People and their relatives were proactively involved in planning their care and support. Staff used innovative ways to make sure people were consulted, empowered, listened to and valued. People received care and support that was individual to them and their needs and preferences. Staff knew how to meet these needs and provide people with an enhanced sense of well-being.
The environment was supportive and enabling as there were lots of large print and dementia friendly directional signs around the home. These signs were mounted low enough to make sure people could see them easily and included words and pictures with contrasting coloured background. This reduced disorientation which may cause distress and frighten people.
People had plenty to do during the day were supported to follow their interests and take part in meaningful social activities designed for people living with dementia. Activities were innovative and, staff told us, ‘Created by people for people’. Staff found innovative and creative ways to enable people to live as full a life as possible. People’s independence was promoted. Staff supported people to maintain relationships with their families and friends.
People were actively encouraged to provide feedback. Complaints were investigated and action taken to address any concerns when needed. People and their relatives told us they had no complaints.
People, their relatives and staff felt the service was well-led. The management team encouraged an open and transparent culture. Regular and effective audits were completed. Action was taken when shortfalls were identified. Notifications had been submitted to CQC in line with guidance.