Working at Nicholas House

Processes to help ensure that risks to people were assessed and mitigated were not always effective. For example, a Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool identified a person had gained 10kg in 7 months but there were no recorded actions about this. Although staff received training in infection control, one staff member wore long acrylic nails which was an infection control and safety risk. People received their medicines safely and as prescribed.

The staff told us they were sometimes short-staffed but since new staff had been employed, this had improved. Where they had employed agency staff, they had ensured these were regular and familiar with the service. Although the provider carried out checks on the suitability of staff before they started working at the service, we found one member of staff did not have any references to evidence conduct in previous employment and a file for another staff member contained only one reference.

Staff received regular training and had their competencies checked. Staff were provided with an induction prior to delivering care to people. This included completing the Care Certificate. Supervision of staff was not always regularly carried out.

Staff spoke favourably of the management team and felt listened to and consulted. At the time of our visit, the registered manager had recently left and the general manager was managing the service, supported by the deputy manager, who was applying to register for the post of registered manager.