We carried out an unannounced inspection of the service on 15 December 2016.

Winthorpe Hall is registered to accommodate up to 28 people with personal care and nursing needs. There were 13 people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

There was a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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.

People were safe who used the service. Staff had received safeguarding training. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding matters and the action they would take to report any concerns they found.

Risks were identified and assessed. Care had been planned for each individual to ensure the levels of any risks were kept to a minimum.

Appropriate equipment was in place and each person had an emergency evacuation plan in place.

People and their relatives felt there were sufficient staff who were trained to support people and where relevant necessary procedures were followed to ensure safe care practices were always used.

People received their medicines safely and correctly. Systems were in place to ensure staff responsible for administering medicines did so in a safe way.

People were cared for and supported by knowledgeable staff. Staff assessed people’s needs to ensure they received effective care.

Staff received a robust induction, supervision, a yearly appraisal and attended relevant training courses to develop their skills and knowledge.

People gave their permission for care and treatment they received. The provider followed appropriate guidelines for the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which are a requirement of the MCA.

People received positive experiences at lunch time and were able to make their own choices. They received sufficient to eat and drink and where relevant food preferences were adhered to.

People were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare services to support their health needs.

People were cared for by caring staff who treated them with dignity and respect. Staff interacted well with people and they were encouraged to develop caring relationships with the people they cared for.

People’s choices and preferences were accommodated. People were supported to follow their hobbies and interests.

People were happy with the way the home was managed. They were confident to raise any concerns or complaints with the appropriate staff member. The culture of the service was open and transparent and people could share their views and experiences.

We received some information that staff were not being provided with sufficient protective clothing. We were informed clothes were washed and put out to dry in the lounge and hall overnight, as staff were not allowed to use the tumble dryer. We were also told there was a hole in the hall ceiling with a bowl below, which was a tripping hazard. We decided to carry out an unannounced visit early in the morning to see whether there was any evidence to support these allegations.

We did not find any evidence to support the allegations made about the lack of protective clothing. The laundry arrangements were suitable and clothing was not put out to dry around the home. Arrangements were in place to repair a leaking pipe.

Prior to our visit we reviewed all the information we had received from the provider. During the visit we spoke with five people who used the service and asked them for their views. We also spoke with four care workers, the cook and the registered manager. We looked at some of the records held in the service including the care files for four people. We observed the support people who used the service received from staff and visited several parts of the building during the inspection.

We found people gave consent to their care and support. A person told us, “I feel they respect me, they usually ask my permission before doing something.” Another person said, “We are able to do the things we want to. I feel they (staff) respect me. They are friendly, we are all friendly.”

We found people were provided with a varied and nutritional diet. A person told us, “The food is good, very tasty.” The person also told us they had sufficing to eat.

We found that suitable arrangements were in place to manage people’s medication and ensure they received any medication they needed. A person told us, “I can’t say anything hasn’t been right. Everything is done as it should be. They have never run out of my tablets.“

We found there were sufficient and suitable staff employed who were supported through training and the provider maintained records that were accurate and fit for purpose. A person who used the service told us, “There is always someone (member of staff) there is you need them.”

People told us they felt they were treated with respect and their privacy and dignity was respected. One person told us, “If you want anything changing they change it for you.”

People also told us they were able to make decisions and choices for themselves. One person told us, “You can go to bed when you like.”

One person told us, “They are good to you, that’s the main thing.” Another person said, “We like to have a bit of fun.” We were also told by someone they “feel nimble and encouraged to continue to be.”

We asked people if they felt safe in the home and they said they did. One person told us, I feel safe, we all know each other.” Another person said, “They treat us all the same.

People told us they thought the staff were all very good at their job and they trusted them. One person told us, “I had a bath yesterday and the lady who helped me knew just what to do.”