We inspected St Michaels Rest Home on the 13 and 14 November 2018. The inspection was carried out by an inspector and an expert by experience. The first day of the inspection was unannounced. St Michaels Rest Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

St Michaels Rest Home provides accommodation for up to 27 older people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection 20 people were living there. People were living with a range needs were associated with old age and dementia. Accommodation is provided over three floors with a passenger lift that provides level access to all parts of the home.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

St Michaels Rest Home had been previously inspected in July 2017. Since then the owner of the home had changed their legal entity. Therefore, this was the first inspection of the home under this new legal entity. However, the owner and the management of the home remain the same. At the previous inspection the provider was meeting all the regulations. However, we asked the provider to make improvements to achieve a ‘good’ rating. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and a rating of ‘good achieved. However, we asked the provider to make further improvements to in relation to some records. We found some staff lacked confidence and were not always comfortable in our presence. We made a recommendation about this.

People’s dignity and privacy was respected. They were looked after by staff who knew them well and were kind and caring. Staff treated people with kindness, understanding and patience. People were supported to make decisions and choices about what they did each day, and helped to retain their independence.

People needs had been assessed and support and care was planned and delivered based on people’s preferences and choices. Group and individual activities were organised for people to take part in if they wished.

Risks to people were safely managed. Staff had a good understanding of the risks associated with the people they looked after. Individual and environmental risk assessments were in place and provided guidance. People’s medicines were ordered, stored administered and disposed of safely.

There were enough staff working to provide the support people needed. Recruitment procedures ensured only suitable staff worked at the home. People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination because staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures.

Staff were received the training and support to deliver care in a way that met people's needs. They had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS and the need to involve appropriate people, such as relatives and professionals, in the decision-making process when people lacked capacity.

Staff ensured people had access to external healthcare professionals, such as the GP and specialist nurses as necessary and had established good links with local community resources.

People's nutritional needs were met and people had access to food and drink that met their needs and preferences.

People and visitors knew how to make a complaint and would talk to the registered manager if they had any concerns. The registered manager was well thought of and supportive. They had a good oversight of the service and knew where improvements and developments were needed.