Caer Gwent

Auditing systems were not sufficiently robust. The medicines audit had not recognised how medicines needed to be discarded to prevent the risk of them being used outside of safe timeframes. Recording of when one person's fluids were required to be thickened was inaccurate which put the person at risk of choking if they received fluids that had not been thickened. Additional information for people at risk of falls had not been included when they received anti-coagulant medicines and were at higher risk of bleeding.

People's dietary needs were met and people were positive in their comments. One person said, "The food is perfectly all right. I don't expect home-cooking, but it's good and it's very edible". Another person told us, "The food is very good. You get a good variety, with alternatives". People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. The home was adapted to meet people's needs. 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 were looked after by kind and caring staff who knew them well. People were complimentary of staff and the care they received.

Care was personalised and responsive to people's needs. A range of activities was organised to provide mental stimulation for people. People were supported to stay in touch with families and friends, and social media was used to advantage. People could live out their lives at the home and their wishes were recorded and respected.

People and their relatives were asked for their feedback about the home and the care they received, and comments were positive.

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