Lady of the Vale Care Home

The home is located in the village of Bowdon Vale in Altrincham. Accommodation is over two floors accessible by two passenger lifts, one of which is suitable for wheelchairs and people have access to a chapel located within the home.

Although there were some activities taking place, people did not always have access to a wide range of activities. A new activities co-ordinator had been recruited and was due to start. The new manager was keen to improve the homes overall approach to activities.

Care plans reflected people's care needs and health conditions. However, there was scope to make people's care plans more personalised, to capture people's individual characteristics, which would help staff get to know people better.

People were supported by staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively meet their assessed needs. There had been a delay for new staff to complete the care certificate as part of their introduction into health and social care. The manager enrolled staff who had not completed the care certificate shortly after our inspection.

People were receiving their medicines safely. We observed medicines being given safely to people by appropriately trained staff, who had been assessed as competent.

There were enough staff available to meet people's needs. However, some staff felt the staffing levels would vary from time to time. We were provided with evidence confirming the staffing levels were exceeding the staffing dependency tool and we observed no delays in care being provided.

People confirmed they were involved in their care planning. End of life care planning and documentation guided staff in providing care at this important stage of people's lives.

We observed a range of positive interactions between people and the staff team throughout the inspection, with staff responding appropriately and in a timely manner to changes in people's needs. There was a warm and homely environment, with people relaxed in the presence of staff.

People and their relatives told us they had been well supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the provider worked in line with current guidelines to support safe visiting.

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. People had enough to eat and drink and were supported to maintain a healthy diet. People were referred to healthcare professionals when necessary.

People and their relatives were positive about the new manager and commented on the positive changes the manager was looking to introduce. People were cared for by a motivated staff team who felt valued and supported to carry out their duties.

The provider monitored the quality and safety of the service. There was a regular programme of auditing in place. People and their relatives were encouraged to provide feedback regarding their views and opinions of the service.