Daisy Bank House

This report summarises the findings from a recent inspection of Daisy Bank care home. The inspection assessed how well the service supports individuals, focusing on safety, effectiveness of care, the caring approach of staff, how responsive the service is to needs, and the quality of leadership. Overall, the inspection found that Daisy Bank provides a good standard of care, with staff demonstrating kindness and respect for residents. However, some areas were identified for improvement, particularly regarding medication management and information accessibility.

Regarding safety, while residents and relatives felt the care was safe and staff were well-trained in safeguarding, there were specific concerns identified with the management of medicines. The medicines policy and administration records were not always in line with best practice, and there was a lack of detailed information for 'when required' medications. Despite this, infection control measures were robust, and staffing levels were adequate to ensure residents' needs were met promptly in a calm environment.

In terms of how effective the care is, the service was found to be effective in supporting residents to achieve good outcomes. Assessments and care plans were comprehensive and person-centred, considering equality and diversity needs. Staff received thorough induction and ongoing training, and residents consistently reported positive experiences with the food and mealtime flexibility, including cultural preferences. Residents were also well-supported to access healthcare services and had detailed health passports.

The caring aspect of the service was a strong point, with residents expressing that staff were kind, respectful, and always tried to learn about their individual traits. Staff received equality and diversity training and delivered care in a non-discriminatory manner, upholding residents' rights and privacy. Residents felt listened to and valued, with staff actively encouraging independence and supporting them to rebuild their lives and maintain connections with family.

The service was also found to be responsive to residents' needs. While communication care plans did not fully reflect current practice and there were recommendations for improvement regarding the Accessible Information Standard, residents received individualised support. Care plans were being reviewed to ensure greater detail and explicit goal setting. Residents were actively supported to follow their interests and participate in activities, with a dedicated activities coordinator ensuring personalised plans.

Finally, the service was well-led, with leaders and management fostering a culture of high-quality, person-centred care. The new manager possessed the necessary skills and experience, and governance processes were in place to ensure accountability and quality assurance. Audits were being conducted to identify shortfalls and plan for improvements, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and development.