Archived: Cross and Passion Convent

Updated 5 November 2020

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.

This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

This inspection took place on 14 October 2020 and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 5 November 2020

The Sisters of Cross and Passion Convent offers residential and nursing care for up to sixteen people. All of the Sisters belong to the same religious order. The Convent is situated overlooking Lytham Green and close to community facilities. Communal accommodation is spacious and individual bedrooms are provided with an adapted en-suite facility. There were 11 Sisters living at the Convent who were receiving support at the time of our inspection.

People who live at Sisters of the Cross and Passion Convent are known as, Sister, followed by their religious name. The convent provides personal care to Sisters of the Cross and Passion but has offered respite care to people outside of the order.

Rating at last inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service Good. We found the registered provider continued to provide a good standard of care to Sisters who lived at the Convent.

Why the service is rated Good

At this inspection we found the registered manager had systems to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and acted as required. The service carefully monitored and analysed such events to learn from them and improve the service.

Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices. The registered manager had reported incidents to the Care Quality Commission when required.

Sisters we spoke with told us staff were exceptionally caring and respectful towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of providing high standards of care and enabled Sisters to lead meaningful lives.

There was a chapel onsite and Sisters had the opportunity to attend daily mass delivered by a visiting priest or via a service filmed at another chapel and broadcast as it happens on the internet.

We observed only positive interactions between staff and Sisters who lived at Cross and Passion Convent. There was a culture of promoting dignity and respect towards people. We saw staff spent time and actively listened to Sisters as they completed routine tasks.

We found there were sufficient numbers of staff during our inspection visit. They were effectively deployed, trained and able to deliver care in a compassionate and patient manner.

Staff we spoke with confirmed they did not commence in post until the management team completed relevant checks. We checked staff records and noted employees received induction and training appropriate to their roles.

Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to Sisters during the delivery of their care. Care records showed they people’s needs had been reviewed and any changes had been recorded.

The Convent was clean and a safe place for Sisters to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required. Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection.

Medication records provided staff with a good understanding about specific support needs of each Sister who lived at the Cross and Passion Convent.

Sisters were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Sisters told us they had plenty of food and drink with the option of additional snacks and drinks between meals.

There was a complaints procedure which was made available to Sisters and this was visible within the Convent. Sisters we spoke with, and visiting relatives and friends, told us they were happy and had no complaints.

The management team used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included regular audits, staff meetings and daily discussions with Sisters who lived at the Convent to seek their views about the service provided.

Sisters were supported with activities and social interaction but the registered manager also respected people’s right to not participate and engage in valued activities. The daily routine was structured to allow religious observances to be followed.

The registered manager offered Sisters a dignified end of life support that extended after their passing. People’s preferences related to end of life care were recorded, respected and honoured.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.