About the service: Antron Manor provides accommodation with personal care for up to 16 people. There were 15 predominantly older people using the service at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found:
When we arrived at the service the atmosphere was calm and unrushed.
Staff were busy supporting people to get up and ready for the day.
Staff understood risks to people and how to help reduce them.
Staff recorded each time they moved a person in the daily records. We judged people were receiving appropriate care and support. However, risk assessments did not always guide staff on how often a person required re-positioning, and it was not easy to gather a quick overview of how often a person was re-positioned. This was addressed immediately.
People’s relatives said they felt their loved ones were safe with the staff supporting them.
Systems were in place to safeguard people. People told us they felt safe being supported by staff.
People received their medicines on time from staff who had received training in medicines administration
Infection control measures were in place to prevent cross infection.
Staff were recruited and deployed safely in sufficient numbers to ensure people’s needs were met.
The provider had improved the safety of the premises since the last inspection. Upstairs windows were restricted in their opening. All hot water taps had temperature regulators fitted. Doors were fitted with door guards which closed automatically when the fire alarm was activated.
People told us, "I am very happy here," "I like the food, they know what I can eat and what does not agree with me" and "Staff are very kind and do anything you ask of them."
Relatives told us, “"Very happy indeed, they can’t do enough for Mum. They love her like she was their own" and "We have no concerns at all, they are in and out all the time."
People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff had received appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their role safely.
Staff meetings were used to remind staff of best practice and to discuss any concerns about people’s needs. Staff told us they felt well-supported by the provider, who was managing the service at the time of this inspection. The providers were actively recruiting for a registered manager but experiencing challenges finding a suitable applicant.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Any restrictive practices were regularly reviewed to ensure they remained the least restrictive option and were proportionate and necessary.
There were systems and processes in place to monitor the Mental Capacity Act, and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards assessments and records. People were able to make choices about their life and how their care and support were provided. This information was reflected in people’s care plans. Staff understood the importance of respecting people’s wishes and choices.
People and relatives agreed the staff were kind and caring. Staff respected people’s diverse characteristics and were clear that each person’s individual needs were their priority. People told us they felt listened to and their privacy and dignity were respected.
A new care plan format had been implemented since the last inspection. Everyone had a care plan which was regularly reviewed and updated. These provided staff with guidance and direction to enable them to meet people’s needs.
Where people were not able to be fully involved with their care plan reviews, family members supported staff to complete and review care plans. People’s preferences were sought and respected.
People were provided with the equipment they had been assessed as needing to meet their needs. For example, pressure relieving mattresses. These were correctly set for the person using them.
There were activities provided for people. Activities were advertised in the monthly newsletter issued to every person living at the service.
Audits were carried out regularly to monitor the service provided. Actions from these audits were being acted upon to further improve the service.
Records were stored appropriately. Effective quality assurance systems were now in place. This was an improvement since the last inspection.
People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.
Visiting healthcare professionals told us, “We have no concerns about Antron, I think it is really nice here. We come every day and there is always staff around. People are well cared for here”
Systems were in place to deal with concerns and complaints. This enabled people to raise concerns about their care if they needed to. The manager told us there were no on-going complaints at the time of this inspection.
People, staff and external healthcare professionals told us the service was well led. People were given various opportunities to provide feedback about the service.
Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and that the team worked well together.
Rating at last inspection and update:
At the last inspection the service was rated as requires improvement (report published 10 January 2019. Following this inspection, the rating has changed to good.
The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of the regulations.
Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection to review the action taken by the provider following our previous inspection.
Follow up: We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk