Redclyffe House

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of Redclyffe House, a residential care home. The inspection focused on the areas of Safe, Responsive, and Well-led, assessing how well the home supports residents. The findings highlight both strengths and areas where improvements are needed to ensure the best possible care for all individuals residing at the home, especially considering the diverse needs of its residents, including those with dementia, learning disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder.

Regarding safety, while residents were supported with their medicines and lived in a safe environment, improvements are needed. Specifically, there were inconsistencies in medicine management records, with some entries incomplete or lacking necessary details. Additionally, checks on safety equipment like thermostatic mixing valves were not consistently completed, and some fire safety checks had also been sporadic. Staffing levels were sometimes insufficient to fully support residents' preferences for activities and outings, as noted by both staff and relatives. However, safeguarding procedures and infection control measures were found to be effective, with staff demonstrating a good understanding of their responsibilities.

In terms of how responsive the service is, Redclyffe House performs well. Care plans are detailed, reflecting residents' life histories and preferences, which helps staff build meaningful relationships and provide personalised care. The service ensures residents have choice and control over their lives, with staff offering tailored support and communication methods. Residents are supported to access healthcare professionals, and their care plans are regularly reviewed and adapted to meet their evolving needs, promoting their overall well-being.

Concerning how well-led the service is, there are significant areas requiring attention. The provider did not consistently follow its quality assurance policies to monitor and mitigate risks. Record-keeping was an issue, with inaccuracies and incompleteness noted not only in medicine management but also in staff recruitment files, where checks on employment history and references were not always thorough. The service also needs to improve its adherence to the duty of candour, ensuring all required records are maintained accurately. While the home works collaboratively with residents and their families to improve the service, and staff turnover is low, these governance and administrative issues need to be addressed.