Background to this inspection
Updated
21 August 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
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
St. Augustine’s House 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. The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that 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 and took place on 17 July 2019.
What we did before inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the service was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service. We spoke with three staff and the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and medicines records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
After the inspection we spoke with three relatives of people and two health and social care professionals.
Updated
21 August 2019
About the service
St Augustine’s House is a ‘care home’ providing personal care for people, some of whom may be living with mental health disabilities. The service can support up to 16 people. The care home accommodates 13 people in one adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe living in this home and that staff were kind to them.
Staff received training to do with safeguarding adults and the provider followed clear safeguarding procedures that helped to protect people from harm. Risks to people, including those associated with their healthcare needs, were assessed and plans were in place to reduce them.
Whistleblowing procedures were in place and displayed on notice boards for all to see. Staff told us they were confident any concerns they reported would be dealt with appropriately.
Equipment in the home such as hoists and were well maintained with regular servicing arrangements in place. The environment was clean and tidy, the home was completely redecorated in the Autumn 2018 when the new home opened. Effective infection control procedures were in place and staff received training with food hygiene.
There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs and safe recruitment practices were in place.
People’s medicines were stored, administered, recorded and audited appropriately. The provider had appropriate policies and procedures in place to support people safely with their medicines as prescribed.
Comprehensive needs assessments were carried out and there was sufficient detail and personalisation in the care plan to ensure the person's needs were met in a personalised way.
The registered manager and staff had relevant health and social care qualifications and completed training to ensure they were able to meet people’s needs effectively. Support was provided appropriately for staff with regards to their professional roles.
Records showed appropriate consent was gained in line with legislation and guidance.
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.
Records showed people were supported to have their health needs met, with access to health professionals as required.
People told us the relationship between them and the staff team was good. They said their privacy and dignity was respected. They also said they were able to express their views and preferences and staff responded appropriately.
There were systems in place to ensure concerns and complaints were responded to in an appropriate way.
Comprehensive quality assurance processes were in place that monitored a wide scope of practice and procedure by staff, identified shortfalls and drove improvements. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to share their views about care and support at the service. The provider worked collaboratively with other agencies and organisations to meet people’s needs.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection.
This service was registered with us on 25/07/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection in line with our inspection schedule. We found the service met the characteristics of a "Good" rating in all areas.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.