CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Dolphin Manor
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Requires improvement
- People were not consistently safe. Inspectors found that some risk records were not well maintained, recognised assessment tools were not used for some risks, and guidance for as-needed medicines lacked detail.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supported, people's healthcare needs were managed well and food and drink were provided according to people's needs. Some records for respite stays, professional visits and best-interest decisions needed clearer information.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff knew people's preferences and supported choice, independence, communication and relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was personalised and people had access to activities, religious support and the community. People and relatives knew how to raise concerns and said issues were acted on.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home was well run and managers were approachable. The quality checks were extensive, but they had not identified all the areas needing improvement.
What inspectors found, October 2018
Rated Good overall, but inspectors found the home was not consistently safe because some risk and medicines records needed improvement.
Inspectors visited unannounced on 03 September 2018 and 13 September 2018. They spoke with 14 people, three relatives, eight staff members and a visiting GP. They reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management documents.
People described the home as homely. They said staff were kind, caring and respectful. Inspectors found that people were supported to make choices, stay independent, maintain relationships and access activities and the local community.
The overall rating was Good. Effective, caring, responsive and well-led were all rated Good. Safe was rated Requires Improvement because some risk records were not well maintained, recognised risk assessment tools were not used in some areas, and instructions for some as-needed medicines were not detailed enough.
The home was rated Good at the previous inspection, published on 9 February 2015. The provider agreed to improve the identified areas. The report says CQC would continue to monitor information received about the home and could inspect sooner if concerns arose.
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives consistently described staff as kind and caring. Inspectors observed respectful and compassionate support.
“Everyone we spoke with told us Dolphin Manor was a homely place to reside and visit, that staff were kind and caring and that people were treated with respect.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were supported to choose where they spent time, who they spent it with and when they went to bed. Staff also helped people maintain independence.
“People were involved in their day to day lives through being empowered to make their own choices about where they spent their time, who with and how.” from the report
Good healthcare support
Staff worked positively with health professionals and arranged support when needed. A weekly GP visit had helped reduce hospital admissions.
“The GP visited the service weekly. This had led to a reduction in admissions to hospital.” from the report
Personalised activities
People could take part in activities based on their interests, including music, reminiscence and community access.
“People told us they enjoyed the range of activities on offer which included opportunities to access the community.” from the report
Risk records and assessments
needs fixingRecognised assessment tools were not used for some risks, including falls and pressure care. Records monitoring hydration, nutrition and pressure care were not always well maintained.
“However, evidence based tools were not used to assess certain areas such as falls and pressure area care.” from the report
As-needed medicines
needs fixingMedicines were generally managed safely, but staff did not always have enough information about when to give medicines prescribed as needed.
“Where people were prescribed medicines to take 'as and when required' little detail to guide staff on when to administer them was available.” from the report
Agency staffing
minorPeople and relatives said agency staff sometimes affected their experience because unfamiliar workers did not know them as well. The home was working to recruit permanent staff.
“People and their relatives told us they received care in a timely way but at times felt the use of agency staff affected their experience of the care they received.” from the report
Quality checks missed some issues
minorThe home's checks had not identified all the areas inspectors found needed development. The provider agreed to review its approach.
“Some of the areas we have noted as needing development had not been picked up by the provider's quality assurance system.” from the report
- 01What recognised tools do you now use to assess falls and pressure area risks?
- 02How do you record and review hydration, nutrition and pressure care?
- 03How do staff know exactly when to give each person's as-needed medicine?
- 04How many permanent staff have been recruited since this inspection, and how do you ensure agency staff know people's needs?
- 05How do your quality checks now identify problems before an inspection?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection of the care home, covering all five CQC questions and both the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 October 2018 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Dolphin Manor
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- October 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 May 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Leeds
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £980 to £1,250 a week. 89 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“Carla has been a god send with the implementation of bringing mum back home from respite care.”
“Took his time to learn about me read my care plan and to listen to me. great companionship with lots of laughing.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.