Dene Court Care Home

The management team were continuing to promote a positive culture at the service. , Extensive environmental improvements were in progress, including ensuring the environment promoted the independence of people living with dementia, in line with best practice.

People felt safe living at Dene Court. Staff were recruited safely, and safeguarding processes were in place to help protect people from abuse. Risks associated with people's care had been assessed and guidance was in place for staff to follow. Care plans were detailed, and person centred, however the information in them did not always reflect people's current risks and needs. The management team had prioritised working on the floor due to staffing difficulties and been unable to complete this task in a timely way. This work was now in progress. In the meantime, they ensured staff remained well informed about people's risks and feedback from people, relatives, health professionals and staff confirmed this was the case.

People received their medicines safely, and in the way prescribed for them. The provider had good systems to manage safeguarding concerns, accidents and environmental safety. Some improvements were needed with regard to infection prevention, and these had been made before the end of the inspection.

People benefitted from competent and skilled staff. This meant their healthcare and nutritional needs were met. External professionals were complimentary about how the service worked in partnership with them.

Dene Court provided a person-centred service. The care provided was sensitive to people's diverse needs. Staff effectively supported their communication which meant people could express their views and make a meaningful contribution to their community.

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. A busy activities programme was in place and being further developed. This was having a positive impact on people's physical and mental health.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. People and their relatives were consulted and asked for their views informally. There were plans to reintroduce a more formal quality assurance questionnaire, which had been paused during the pandemic. Changes to the management team and staff structure had been introduced to further improve monitoring and accountability.