We undertook this unannounced comprehensive inspection on 26 October 2017. This was the first inspection of St Catherine Care Home since it was registered with a new provider, Bitterne Care Homes Ltd.

St Catherine Care Home is registered as a “care home”. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and we looked at both during this inspection.

St Catherine Care Home accommodates up to 14 older people who may also be living with dementia. It is located in a residential area of Southampton, close to the provider’s other home, St Katherine Care Home. At the time of this inspection there were 11 people living at the home.

The provider had a single registered manager responsible for both homes. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are “registered persons”. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were aware of processes to protect people from risks to their safety and welfare, including the risks of avoidable harm and abuse. There were enough staff to support people safely. The provider made appropriate recruitment checks to make sure all workers were suitable to work in a care setting. There were arrangements in place to store medicines safely and administer them safely and in accordance with people’s preferences.

Staff training and supervision supported them to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge to support people according to their needs. There was sound knowledge and appreciation of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. People were able to eat and drink enough to maintain their health and welfare. People were supported to access healthcare services, such as GPs and specialist nurses.

There was a caring ethos, and interactions between staff and people were friendly and positive. People were able to take part in decisions about their care and support and their views were listened to. Staff respected people’s independence, privacy, and dignity.

Care and support were based on assessments and plans which took into account people’s abilities, needs and preferences. People were able to take part in leisure activities of their choosing. People were kept aware of the provider’s complaints procedure, but there had been no formal complaints

The home had a homely, welcoming atmosphere. Systems were in place to make sure the service was managed efficiently and to monitor and assess the quality of service provided.