Background to this inspection
Updated
21 September 2021
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The service was inspected by one inspector and an assistant inspector.
Service and service type
St Anthony’s is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 who was not currently registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means the provider was 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. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eleven members of staff including the provider, registered manager, assistant manager, senior care workers, care workers and the chef. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. 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 validate evidence found. We looked at training data, rotas, quality assurance records and action plans.
Updated
21 September 2021
About the service
St Anthony’s is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 34 people, some of whom may be living with dementia. The service can support up to 39 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received their medicines as prescribed, but medicines were not consistently stored safely. Staff had received training in how to protect people from the spread of infection, but not all staff consistently followed the correct guidance with regard to the wearing and disposal of PPE [personal protective equipment].
People felt safe and were supported by staff who were aware of their responsibilities to act and report on any signs of abuse. Where safeguarding concerns had been raised, they had been dealt with appropriately and lessons were learnt.
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. Staff were aware of the risks to people and how to support them safely.
The manager had recognised the need to provide staff with additional training to ensure they supported people safely and effectively. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who responded to their needs in a timely manner. Accidents and incidents were reported and acted on appropriately and the information was analysed for any themes or trends and lessons to be learnt.
Quality assurance audits were in place to provide the manager with oversight of the service. Where areas for improvement had been identified, an action plan was put in place in order to address concerns in a timely manner and drive improvement. Staff told us they felt supported and listened to and spoke positively of the changes introduced by the new manager and the provider.
People were happy with the service they received, and their opinions were listened to, valued and acted on.
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 under the previous provider was requires improvement (published 12 June 2019).
Why we inspected
We received concerns in relation to moving and handling practices, staff training and staff practice in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
The overall rating for the service has remained the same. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvement. Please see the safe section of this full report.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern as the provider took immediate action to mitigate the risks.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for St Anthonys Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.