What the CQC found at St Vincent House - Gosport

People, relatives and outside professionals described staff as kind, friendly and supportive. Staff knew people well and were observed speaking with patience.

“We observed a calm, friendly and supportive atmosphere in the service.” from the report

The provider had increased staffing and inspectors found there were enough staff to meet people's needs. The location of staff still needed reviewing for people at risk in communal areas.

“There were enough staff available to sufficiently meet people's needs.” from the report

Recruitment checks included DBS checks, current references and investigation of gaps in employment.

“There were safe and effective recruitment procedures in place to help ensure only suitable staff were employed.” from the report

Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse. Safeguarding incidents had been reported appropriately to the relevant organisations.

“All staff we spoke with had a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities.” from the report

Inspectors were assured that the home had up-to-date infection control policies and was following government guidance.

“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report

Some care plans did not contain enough specific information about known health needs and falls risks. This could leave staff without clear guidance unless the improvements made after inspection are maintained.

“Risks to people were assessed but some risks had not been identified within people's care plans or needed further detail, to ensure staff had clear guidance about how to manage them.” from the report

The home needed to assess risks more fully when people were in communal areas or moving around independently. It also needed to show how staff deployment would reduce these risks.

“These risks had not been fully assessed or records made to demonstrate how they would be reduced.” from the report

Staff had not recorded when creams were opened, so it was not clear they would always be discarded by their use-by date. The medicine audit had also not checked this.

“The date creams had been opened had not been recorded by staff, to ensure they were disposed of when they reached their 'use by' date.” from the report

Audits had identified some problems, but action had not always been taken promptly. The report said people were left at risk while improvements were delayed.

“However, although these had identified some of the concerns we found, action was not taken promptly, which meant people were left at risk.” from the report

There was a manager in post who was applying to register, but no registered manager was in place at the inspection.

“At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post.” from the report