Minchinhampton Centre for the Elderly - Horsfall House

People were accommodated in one adapted building in two separate units. Each unit could support 22 people. One unit provides general nursing care and the other specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

People's care records did not always reflect the support staff told us they provided to keep people safe. This meant staff may not always have access to the information they require to reduce or mitigate people's risks.

Robust staff recruitment processes had not always been followed to ensure safe recruitment of staff took place.

The provider had not ensured effective systems were in place to assess, monitor and improve the service and to ensure compliance with necessary regulations.

The required notification had not been made to us (the Care Quality Commission) when Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) had been authorised. This is required to support the monitoring of legally authorised DoLS. However, where required appropriate application to the local authority for DoLS had been made. Staff worked within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and supported people to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There were enough staff employed to meet people's care needs and to keep people safe. Successful staff recruitment had led to a reduction in the use of agency staff.

There were arrangements in place to protect people from abuse and discrimination and to identify poor practice and act on this.

We made a recommendation about a practice which could be open to abuse.

People's medicines were managed safely. There were arrangements for medicines to be reviewed by people's GPs. People told us they felt safe and well cared for and their relatives were satisfied with the care

provided.

The registered manager provided strong leadership and support to the staff team. They were visible and available to people and their relatives for support and advice. Staff worked collectively across the care home to support good outcomes for people.

The service worked closely with commissioners of care and the provider's day care services to ensure people could access the service as required. There were strong links with local primary healthcare services, community leaders and community groups to improve the quality of the service provided to people.

The provider was motivated to make improvements to the service and provided us with an update on their proposed actions for improvement. These actions related to safeguarding people from abuse, fire safety, Legionella risk, maintenance and safety checks (including relevant records), staff recruitment, submission of notifications to CQC and quality monitoring systems and processes.