Bishopsteignton House

People generally received their medicines in the way prescribed for them. However, there were improvements needed to some aspects of the way people's medicines were managed.

Staff relationships with people were caring and supportive. People commented staff were busy and would like them to have more time to stop and talk but praised their kindness and attentiveness. One person summed up their experience, saying "Overall, we are blessed" and another said, "The staff are miraculous, can't do enough for me." Visitors were also positive, for example staff "genuinely so caring and gentle."

Recruitment checks helped ensure staff were suitable to support people. People received effective care and support from staff who were well trained and competent. Staff described their training as "comprehensive."

The service provided safe care to people. People were relaxed with one another and the staff group. People commented on the importance of companionship and their friendships within the home. Visitors said they were reassured by their relative's appearance and contentment. For example. "I would arrive unexpectedly and find mum clean, calm and well looked after."

Measures to manage risk were as least restrictive as possible to protect people's freedom. People's rights were protected because the service followed the appropriate legal processes.

Care files were personalised to reflect people's personal preferences. People's views and suggestions were provided with the opportunity to feedback on their experience, which was taken into account to improve the service. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet with a weekly menu and choices. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people's care to ensure they received the care and treatment which was right for them.

Visitors and people living at the home commented on the cleanliness and the well-maintained environment. Staff followed current hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections. Visitors to the service were given

information to help them reduce the risk of catching and spreading infection. Health and safety checks of the premises and equipment were carried out at regular intervals.

Staff spoke positively about good communication and how the management team worked well with them and encouraged their professional development.

People's equality, diversity and human rights were respected. During the inspection, work was undertaken to ensure processes and information were more person centred and easy to access. The registered manager and the staff team worked with a shared purpose putting people's well-being at the heart of their practice.

A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received. The service made continuous improvements in response to their findings.

During this inspection we carried out a separate thematic probe, which asked questions of the provider, people and their relatives, about the quality of oral health care support and access to dentists, for people living in the care home. This was to follow up on the findings and recommendations from our national report on oral healthcare in care homes that was published in 2019 called 'Smiling Matters'. We will publish a follow up report to the 2019 'Smiling Matters' report, with up to date findings and recommendations about oral health, in due course.