Archived: St Helens Care Home

Updated 14 December 2019

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

One inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

St Helens care home is a residential care home that provides accommodation for older people and people living with mental health conditions.

People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a registered manager. This means that when registered they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time with people living at the service. We spoke with four people who used the service, six staff, six relatives, the manager, area manager, three care staff, a local authority commissioner and a visiting social worker.

We reviewed a range of records, included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with one professional who regularly visits the service.

Updated 14 December 2019

About the service

St Helens care home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to 36 people at the time of the inspection. St Helens care home accommodates up to 40 people in one adapted building.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Some people and their relatives told us they would like to see more activities taking place in the home. People told us they were happy with the care and support they received.

People were not always safe from the risk of harm or infection. Some areas of the home were not clean and mal odour was present. The kitchen was not clean and some equipment was unclean and cross infection risks were observed. Some equipment used by people who used the service was not always maintained not fit for purpose. The conservatory area of the home was unsafe as it reached unsafe cold temperatures.

Audits and monitoring systems were not always effective at managing the service and making the improvements required. Health and safety checks were in place however, they failed to address the infection control issues found on inspection. Where environmental concerns had been raised by the registered manager with the provider they were not always responded to.

The registered manager and provider responded immediately to the concerns and issues raised during our inspection and took action to either clean or replace items highlighted.

People were supported to have enough to eat and drink. However, feedback regarding the food was mixed. Support was provided in a way which put people and their preferences first. Information was provided for people in the correct format for them. However, menu boards were damaged and in need of replacement.

We received mixed feedback from people and relatives regarding the range of activities available to people in the home to protect them from social isolation and keep them engaged. We made a recommendation that activities are reviewed with people and the home research engaging options.

People had care plans in place and these were written in a person-centred way. People also had a ‘my journal’ booklet with life history, likes and dislikes information within. Medicines were managed well, administered and recorded accurately keeping people safe. People who received ‘as and when required’ medicines had clear instructions in place.

People were supported by enough staff were recruited safely. People and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. Staff received support and a variety of appropriate training to meet people’s needs.

Individualised risk assessments were in place. Staff were confident to raise concerns appropriately to safeguard people.

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. Appropriate healthcare professionals were included in people’s care and support, as and when this was needed.

There were systems in place for communicating with staff, people and their relatives to ensure they were fully informed via team meetings and communications. People had good links to the local community through regular access to local services.

People were supported to be independent were they could, their rights were respected and access to advocacy was available.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 16 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches at this inspection in relation to the safety and cleanliness of the premises, infection control, and oversight from management.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.