Marine Court is a residential care home for up to 40 people some of whom may be living with dementia. CQC regulates the premises and the care provided and both were looked at during this inspection. This unannounced inspection took place on 20 September 2018 and at the time there were 39 people living at the service. Marine Court is a two-storey building which is located on the seafront at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

At our last inspection on 14 September 2015 we rated the service Good overall. At this inspection we found that the service continued to meet the rating of Good overall This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Appropriate risk assessments and safety checks were carried out within the home. Staffing levels and recruitment processes were appropriate and supported the provision of safe care. People’s needs were thoroughly assessed and reviewed and measures were effectively deployed to mitigate risk. Medication management and administration was managed and administered safely.

People’s care needs were met by well-managed and suitably trained staff. Appropriate access to external health services was provided promptly, ensuring specific medical problems were treated and people’s general health was supported effectively. The provision of a varied diet and adequate drinks at all times further aided their well-being. People could make choices as far as possible and they were assisted in the least restrictive way. The design of the home was tailored to the needs of those living there.

Staff were kind and attentive and treated people with dignity and respect. People felt comfortable and relaxed in the home. They were able to express their views and request changes to their support if need be.

Staff provided person-centred care and were responsive to people’s fluctuating needs. More attention needed to be paid to the provision of activities within the home. People and their relatives were aware how to complain and any concerns raised were acted on promptly.

The service was well managed. Management were visible and involved in people’s care. They demonstrated a desire to provide high quality care and to learn and develop the service through both internal and external quality improvement initiatives.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

This inspection took place on 14 September 2015 and was unannounced.

Marine Court Residential Home provides accommodation and support for up to 40 people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of this inspection 37 people were living in the home.

A registered manager was in post. This person was also a partner and the company secretary of the provider organisation and is referred to as the manager throughout this report. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were knowledgeable about how to safeguard people from abuse and knew what action to take if they had any concerns.

There were enough staff available to support people in a timely way.

People received their medicines when they needed them. Their medicines were appropriately stored and administered to them in a safe way.

Most of the risks to people’s welfare were identified. However, some people’s ensuite shower facilities needed to be made safe to reduce the risks of people slipping.

The manager had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and how these impacted upon the way people’s care was arranged.

People enjoyed their meals and were given choices. Drinks were readily available for people and staff ensured people were well hydrated.

People were treated with kindness and staff promoted people’s dignity and enhanced their independence where possible.

People’s needs were responded to and care tasks were carried out thoroughly. Where there were concerns about people’s wellbeing staff responded promptly and ensured people received the support from health professionals as necessary.

The manager fostered an open culture in the home where people’s views were welcomed. Staff were supportive of the home’s manager and people and their relatives found them approachable. Systems and processes were implemented to review the standard of care provided to people.

We spoke with two staff, the registered manager and two people who used the service. We looked at comments made on a recent survey returned by 31 people using the service, their relatives and visiting professionals. People we spoke with were happy with the standard of care and support they received and this was reflected in the comments made on the survey. These included, 'Staff make individual plans to meet the very different needs of the resident,' and 'Staff are absolutely wonderful - I have no complaints.'

We saw that the building was clean and well maintained. Staff were supported to provide care to a good standard.

People who used the service told us that they were well cared for and enjoyed living in the service. They told us that the staff were kind and helped them with their daily activities of living. Safeguarding policies and practices were well established and staff received appropriate training to ensure that they were up to date with their safeguarding practices.

Care plans were up to date and regularly reviewed to ensure that people were given the treatment and care they needed. Risk assessments were made on relevant areas to protect the safety and welfare of people. One person told us, "They are good to you here" and a relative told us, "They keep me well informed."

Staff training was comprehensive and included both internal and external training courses that met the needs of the service and the staff.

The provider used a comprehensive system of audits to ensure that standards were maintained. Regular surveys of people who used the service and visiting professionals helped the service assess the quality of service being provided. Survey respondents were full of praise for the service.

We spoke with ten from the thirty nine people currently living at Marine Court; the discussion mainly took place at the dining table and various parts of the large lounge. We also spoke with two visitors.

People with whom we spoke told us they felt safe living at Marine Court.

One person said “The staff are really good here, they take there time, and always ask me what I want”.

Another said “The people are very friendly”.

“The staff are always talking to us, they ask us if I want tea or coffee, and what I want for my dinner” and “Sometimes I like painting and talking about my family”.

“During the summer we go over the road for tea and cake, it’s nice to watch the holidaymakers, I used to be one of them”.

One visitor told us “I am happy to leave my father here the staff treat him really well”.