Southwoods Nursing Home

There was an organised governance framework in place, which monitored all aspects of care and support and the running of the home. This had been developed over the last eight months by the new management structure and was continually reviewed. However, it had not identified the concerns we found regarding medicines administration.

We have made a recommendation about the governance of medicines administration.

Systems, processes and practices safeguard people from abuse. Risks to people were assessed and their safety monitored and managed to keep people safe, and support their independence. Sufficient numbers of suitable staff were deployed to support people to stay safe and meet their needs. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection, however advice from the recent IPC audit in respect of the environment had not yet been implemented. Lessons were learnt and improvements made when things go wrong.

People's needs and choices were regularly assessed and care. Treatment and support were delivered as required, and within best practice guidance. Staff received induction, training and regular support. People were supported to eat and drink and maintain a balanced diet. Staff were well-informed about people's nutrition and dietary needs. Robust monitoring was in place. Staff teams and services worked together and were supported by detailed handover records and documentation. People were supported to access to healthcare services. Regular visits from health professionals took place. The home had commenced a programme of refurbishment, which meant people lived in an environment suited to their needs. The home had a maintenance plan for further refurbishment works; this included recent recommendations from the fire service. Dementia-friendly signage was in place for toilets and bathrooms.

Consent to care and treatment was sought in line with legislation and guidance. MCA assessments and best interest decisions were used appropriately, as were DoLS applications.

There was a clear vision and strategy for the home. The minutes from meetings with staff, people and relatives and our observation showed there was a positive, open and person-centred culture at the service.

People, relatives and staff were all actively and regularly engaged in the running of the home. Links with the

local community were in place, for example, with local schools and there were plans to expand this community involvement. The new management structure was constantly reviewing and learning from all practices and areas across the home. There was a culture of learning and improving. The service had worked closely with local authority colleagues and other professionals to learn and improve.

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.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who have a learning disability and or who are autistic.