This inspection of Ann Slade care home took place on 18 January 2018 and was unannounced.At the last inspection on 8 November 2016, we found that the registered provider was in breach of Regulation 17 (Good Governance). Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to tell us what they would do to make the necessary improvements. We received an action plan that outlined what improvements the registered provider intended to make. At this inspection, we found that improvements had been made to meet the relevant requirements and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation.
Ann Slade is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Ann Slade Care Home is located close to Southport town centre. The home can accommodate up to 24 people. Accommodation is provided over three floors which can be accessed by stairs and a passenger lift. Shared areas such as dining facilities and lounge space are located on the ground floor. There is car parking to the front of the building and a garden at the back of the home. At the time of the inspection there were 22 people living in the home.
A registered manager was in post. 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 registered manager was supported by a care manager and deputy manager. The registered manager had delegated the responsibility for overseeing the day to day running of the service to the care manager. The care manager was in the process of applying to become the registered manager of the service.
At the last inspection on 8 November 2016 we identified a breach of regulation because the governance systems in place for monitoring the service were not robust because they had failed to identify potential risks to people with regards to the environment. At this inspection, we found that people were supported to live in a safe environment, free from hazards, and that the appropriate checks were in place to ensure this. The registered provider had taken action in accordance with our recommendation and had reviewed their procedures to ensure the safety of the environment. The registered provider had implemented a series of daily and weekly environmental audits to check the safety of the service.
We found that the registered provider had taken action to further develop and strengthen their recording procedures in respect of the best interest decision making process in accordance with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Decisions that were made were thoroughly assessed to ensure the least restrictive option was chosen.
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. People told us that consent was sought and staff offered them choice before providing care.
The registered provider maintained detailed records of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and their efforts to ensure that any conditions attached to authorisations were adhered to.
All of the people we spoke with told us they felt safe living at Ann Slade Care home.
Medications were well managed and staff received training to administer medication safely.
Staff were able to describe the course of action they would take if they felt someone was being harmed or abused. All staff had been trained in safeguarding and understood the reporting procedures.
Staff were recruited safely and had the necessary checks to ensure they were able to work with vulnerable people. Staff were assisted in their role through induction, training and supervisions and staff told us they felt well supported in their role.
People's health care needs were addressed with appropriate referral and liaison with external health care professionals. The registered provider’s records showed that staff maintained good contact with other professionals involved in people’s care.
We sampled the food at Ann Slade and found it to be of good quality. The chef was aware of people’s individual dietary requirements and these were catered to. People told us they were offered a wide range of food and the menu was changed regularly.
We observed interactions between staff and people living in the home to be familiar and caring. The service enabled one person to have their pet live with them at the care home because they understood how much this meant to the person.
Care plans were detailed, person centred and informative. People's likes and dislikes were reflected throughout care plans we viewed. This helped staff to get to know people and provide care based on their individual needs and preferences.
People had access to a complaints procedure which provided relevant contact details should people wish to make a complaint. Opportunities were provided for people and their relatives to comment on their experiences and the quality of service provided.
The care manager had put in place a series of audits (checks) to monitor the quality of the service and improve practice.
The care manager had notified the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of events and incidents that occurred within the home in accordance with our statutory requirements. This meant that CQC were able to monitor risks and information regarding Ann Slade care home.