Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home Southport rated good (CQC)

This unannounced inspection took place on 14 April 2015.

Good Companions EMI Residential Care Home is registered to accommodate up to 26 people. who have dementia. There is a lounge on the ground floor and a recently refurbished open-plan lounge and dining area in the basement. Bedrooms are located on the ground and upper floors. All floors can be accessed by a passenger lift if people have mobility needs. There is a large garden to the rear of the property and car parking to the front. The home is located on the outskirts of Southport and is close to public transport links, and local community facilities.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service.

We always ask the following five questions of services.

Is the service safe? – Good

The service was safe.
Relevant risk assessments had been undertaken depending on each person’s individual needs.

Staff understood what abuse meant and knew what action to take if they thought someone was being abused.

Safeguards were in place to ensure the safe management of medicines.
Measures were in place to regularly check the safety of the environment and equipment.

There were enough staff on duty at all times. Staff had been checked when they were recruited to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

Is the service effective? – Good

The service was effective.

Staff sought the consent of people before providing care and support. The home followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) for people who lacked mental capacity to make their own decisions.

People told us they liked the food and got plenty to eat and drink.

People had access to external health care professionals and staff arranged appointments readily when people needed them.

Staff said they were well supported through induction, supervision, appraisal and on-going training.

A refurbishment programme was in place to ensure the environment was developed in a dementia friendly way.

Is the service caring? – Good

The service was caring.

People told us they were happy with the care they received. We observed positive engagement between people living at the home and staff.

Staff treated people with respect, privacy and dignity. They had a good understanding of people’s needs and preferences.

Is the service responsive? – Good

The service was responsive.

People’s care plans were regularly reviewed and reflected their current and individual needs. We observed that care requests were responded to in a timely way.

A full and diverse programme of recreational activities was available for people living at the home to participate in.

Is the service well-led? – Good

Staff spoke positively about the open and transparent culture within the home. Staff and families said

they felt included and involved in the running of the home.
Staff were aware of the whistle blowing policy and said they would not hesitate to use it. Processes for routinely monitoring the quality of the service were established at the home.