About the service:

Digby Manor is a care home that provides personal and nursing care to a maximum of 26 older people, including people who live with dementia. At the time of the inspection 26 people were using the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

People said they felt safe and they could speak to staff as they were approachable. People and staff told us they thought there were enough staff on duty to provide safe care and individual care to people.

Staff knew about safeguarding procedures. Staff were subject to robust recruitment checks. Arrangements for managing people's medicines were safe.

People were very positive about the changes taking place in the home. There was a good standard of hygiene. The environment promoted the orientation and independence of people who lived with dementia.

People's privacy and dignity were not always respected with the use of shared bedrooms. We have made a recommendation to review the use of shared rooms in order to promote people's rights to privacy and dignity.

People were provided with very good standards of care by staff who were well-trained and supported in their roles. One visitor commented, “The manager and staff are so loving and caring, I want to come here if I ever need care.”

Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best interest decision making, when people were unable to make decisions themselves. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible, the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed. People received a varied and balanced diet to meet their nutritional needs.

Risk assessments were in place and they accurately identified current risks to the person as well as ways for staff to minimise or appropriately manage those risks.

There was a welcoming, bustling atmosphere in the home and people were well-engaged. A range of activities and entertainment were available to keep people interested and stimulated.

People and relatives were overwhelmingly positive about the care provided. They confirmed that staff were attentive, kind and caring.

Communication was effective and staff and people were listened to. Staff said they felt well-supported and were aware of their responsibility to share any concerns about the care provided.

There were opportunities for people, relatives and staff to give their views about the service. One relative commented, “It is great we do not have to worry at all about [Name]’s care and well-being now they are safely ensconced in Digby Manor.”

People said they knew how to complain. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided. The home had won awards acknowledging the benefits to people of the care provided.

Why we inspected:

This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered in March 2017. This was a planned comprehensive inspection.

Follow up:

We did not identify any concerns at this inspection. We will therefore re-inspect this service within the published timeframe for services rated good. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

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