Southminster Residential Home

Updated 10 March 2022

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 how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

The first day of this inspection took place on 31 January 2022 and was unannounced. When we arrived at the service, the registered manager told us a number of care and domestic staff had tested positive for COVID-19. They were focused on sourcing replacement staff and carrying out other priority tasks, in line with the provider’s emergency planning. As we did not have concerns about people’s safety, we ended our visit to the service. We returned on 10 February 2022 to continue the inspection. This second visit was announced.

Updated 10 March 2022

About the service:

Southminster Residential Home is residential service providing accommodation and personal care for up to 34 people. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service. The service supported adults, including people living with dementia. People lived in their own bedrooms which had their own toilets and sinks. There were also communal bathroom facilities, lounges and dining rooms.

People’s experience of using this service:

The service benefited from a longstanding registered manager who was passionate and committed to providing good quality care to people. The recent introduction of a new deputy manager and support of an area manager had helped the registered manager to make and sustain required improvements which were identified at previous inspections.

Staff felt valued and well supported. Consequently, people received support from a well trained consistent staff team who were motivated to provide good quality care.

People were supported to take their medicines in a safe way by staff who had been assessed and trained as competent. Risks to people had been identified and staff had a good knowledge of how to keep people safe from harm. We made a recommendation about risk recording.

Staff had access to up to date information about how to support people safely and to promote their independence. Good infection control practices were used by staff to prevent infection. The premises looked fresh and clean with no unpleasant smells.

Staff received support to be competent in their role and had the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective support. People were supported to access healthcare services and treatment when required.

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 were kind and caring and respected people’s privacy. People were spoken to politely and treated with dignity and respect. End of life care arrangements were explored and documented if appropriate.

People received care and support which reflected their needs and preferences. We made a recommendation about person-centred care planning. People had access to activities they enjoyed. Complaints were responded to appropriately and feedback from people, relatives and staff was invited to drive improvements.

Rating at last inspection:

Requires Improvement (report published February 2018)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any information of concern, we may inspect sooner.

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