The inspection took place on 09 May 2017 and was unannounced. This was the first inspection for this service under their new registration.

St Euphrasia’s Care Home provides care and accommodation to Sisters of the ‘Good Shepherd’, a religious order of women in the Roman Catholic Church. The care home is linked to the Good Shepherd convent which is situated next door. It is a single storey building with 14 single rooms, three of which provide en-suite facilities. At the time of the inspection there were 12 sisters living at the home. Building work was being carried out to extend two of the bedrooms to add en-suite facilities.

There was a registered manager in place at the service. 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.

Staffing levels were flexible and were sufficient on the day of the inspection to meet the needs of the sisters residing at the home. Staff were recruited safely, all relevant checks were undertaken to help ensure employees were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

Appropriate safeguarding adults policies and procedures were in place and staff were able to demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding issues. There was also a whistle blowing policy in place and staff were confident to report any poor practice they may witness.

Medicines systems were in place to help ensure all medicines were ordered, stored, administered and disposed of safely. General and individual risk assessments were in place and accidents and incidents were recorded and followed up appropriately.

Health and safety measures were in place and documentation was up to date. All staff undertook training in infection prevention and control, regular audits were undertaken and there was an infection control champion amongst the staff.

Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The induction programme was thorough, mandatory training was regularly refreshed and further training courses undertaken to help ensure staff skills and knowledge remained current.

There was a choice of meals and plenty of food and drink offered throughout the day. Special diets and nutritional requirements were catered for and people’s nutritional and hydration intake was monitored if required.

The service was working within the legal requirements of the Mental Health Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff had undertaken training and could demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the MHA, making decisions in people’s best interests and when a DoLS authorisation may be necessary.

The sisters we spoke with and observed at the home were happy and contented. We saw that interactions between staff and the sisters were kind and courteous at all times. Dignity and privacy were respected.

Staff had undertaken end of life training and the service endeavoured to ensure that the sisters could continue to be cared for at the home, if this was their wish, once they were nearing the end of their lives.

Care records were person-centred and included appropriate health and personal information. These records were regularly reviewed and updated.

There were many spiritual and religious activities which took place on a daily basis. Other activities and outings were also on offer and there were regular visitors to the service from both the convent and the outside community.

There was an appropriate complaints procedure, but there had been no recent complaints. Concerns were dealt with promptly to help ensure they did not escalate.

The registered manager was described as approachable and had an ‘open door’ policy so that people could speak with her when they wished to.

Staff supervisions and appraisals were