Ridgeway Manor Residential Care Home

People's experience of using this service: Some aspects of people's care were not always provided safely. For example, some people did not receive their medicines as prescribed on the day of our inspection. People who had specific dietary needs were not supported to eat in line with guidance issued by a speech and language therapist.

A recent fire risk assessment found improvements were needed in fire safety and some areas of the building presented health and safety risks to people. The home was not adapted to meet the needs of people living with dementia. Some parts of the home were not adequately maintained or sufficiently clean. Quality assurance systems were not effective in assessing, monitoring and improving the quality and safety of the service.

People's care was provided in line with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), although there were some inconsistencies in the completion of documentation. We have made a recommendation about this.

People told us they enjoyed the food at the home. They said they had choices at each meal and could have alternatives to the menu. However, meals for people who required texture-modified food were not attractively presented. We have made a recommendation about this.

There were enough staff on each shift to meet people's needs. People said staff were available when they needed them and that they did not have to wait when they needed care. Staff were recruited safely and understood their role in safeguarding people from abuse. Relatives praised the efforts staff had made during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep people safe.

If accidents or incidents occurred, these were reviewed to identify any themes and actions that could be taken to prevent a similar incident happening again. There was a business continuity plan in place to ensure people would continue to receive their care in the event of an emergency.

People were supported to maintain good health and to access healthcare services when they needed them. Staff monitored people's health and made referrals to healthcare professionals if they identified concerns.

Staff carried out assessments to identify any risks people faced in areas such as mobility and skin integrity and kept these under review. Pain assessments had been implemented for people who may not be able to express when they were in pain, such as people living with dementia.

Staff were kind and caring and treated people with respect. People and relatives told us there was a friendly,

family atmosphere at the home. Staff respected people's choices about their care and enabled them to be as independent as possible. People had access to activities they enjoyed.

Staff had an induction when they started work and access to ongoing training. Staff told us they received good support from the management team and said they worked well as a team.

People's care was planned to meet their individual needs. 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. People's wishes about the care they received towards the end of their lives had been recorded where they chose to discuss this aspect of their care.

People told us staff knew their needs well and how they preferred their care to be provided. Relatives told us the management team communicated well with them and said they were able to be involved in planning their family members' care. People and their relatives felt able to raise any concerns they had and were confident these would receive an appropriate response.

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