Elderholme Nursing Home

At the time of the inspection, the location supported 3 people with a learning disability or who were autistic. We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

However, the people were being supported in the service primarily for their nursing needs, rather than their learning disability. Therefore, although we checked to ensure people were treated with respect and dignity, had choices and were supported to access local communities, we did not assess the service as a whole, based on 'Right support, right care, right culture.'

Medicines were managed safely, but records required further improvement to ensure there was clear guidance when to administer 'as required' and covert medicines. Medicines were stored safely and administered by staff that were trained and assessed as competent.

Records showed safe recruitment practices had not always been followed. Although all staff had undertaken a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, some staff did not have a reference from their previous employer and had gaps in their employment history. The registered manager took action to address this.

Procedures were in place to seek and record people's consent, but records regarding best interest decisions could be further improved. 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 and their relatives told us they felt Elderholme Nursing Home was a safe place to be. Procedures were in place to ensure safeguarding concerns were managed appropriately. Staff knew how to raise concerns and referrals were made appropriately. There were enough staff to support people when they needed it and rotas showed staffing levels were consistently maintained. Staff had undertaken training to

ensure they had the required knowledge to meet people's needs safely and told us they were well supported in their roles.

Effective infection prevention and control measures were in place. The home was clean, and people's friends and relatives were encouraged to visit. People were encouraged to personalise their rooms and the environment was safe and appropriate for the people living there.

People were supported to maintain their health and wellbeing and referrals were made to other professionals when required. People's dietary needs were assessed and met, and people told us they had enough to eat and drink, and always had a choice of meal.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and helped the registered manager identify any areas for improvement. People and their relatives told us the service was well managed and feedback regarding the care provided was overwhelmingly positive.