This inspection took place on 11 September 2018. It was unannounced, which meant no-one knew we were going to inspect the home.

At our last inspection on the 9 and 10 May 2017 the location was rated 'requires improvement' overall, with all key questions being rated as ‘requires improvement’, except for ‘caring’, which was rated as, ‘good.’ At that time, we identified breaches of regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, in relation to medicines management and regulation 13, in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show us what they would do and by when to improve the key questions of safe, effective responsive and well led to at least good.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made. We found evidence to show the service was meeting all requirements of the current legislation. Therefore, all key questions were rated as ‘good’ on this occasion.

Stocks Hall Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Stocks Hall Nursing Home (Stocks Hall) is located in a quiet residential area of Mawdsley, but is within easy reach of Preston, Chorley and the towns of West Lancashire. A range of amenities are available in the area and public transport links are nearby. There are four separate spacious and well-designed units within the home, which provide a variety of tastefully decorated and well-furnished communal areas and dining rooms. All accommodation is provided on a single room basis with ensuite facilities. Communal bathrooms are located throughout the home. There are 13 luxury apartments situated on the top floor of the home. These can be purchased for independent living with an option to have support provided by the care home staff, if needed. This support can include personal care, cleaning, food provision, activities and trips out. There are ample parking spaces adjacent to the premises. At the time of our inspection there were 41 people who lived at Stocks Hall.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who is 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. The registered manager was on duty at the time of our inspection and she was co-operative and helpful throughout.

New staff were recruited safely and detailed induction programmes were implemented on commencement of employment. However, some records could have been completed more fully and application forms were not always available on the staff files we looked at, although where these were not available detailed Curriculum Vitae submissions had been received. We made a recommendation about this.

Staff had received a range of training, but records were not always kept up to date and some learning modules for some staff members were overdue. Supervisions and appraisals had been conducted, although these could have been more regular. An appropriate number of staff with relevant skills were appointed to meet people's assessed needs and those we spoke with understood their responsibilities in relation to reporting allegations of abuse.

Risks were managed well and we saw evidence of actions taken to mitigate any identified hazards. We found some areas of the management of medicines could have been better. However, actions were taken immediately to address the issues raised which helped to mitigate the areas of risk.

The care files we saw were maintained electronically. The system contained detailed and person-centred plans of care, wh

This comprehensive inspection was unannounced, which meant the provider did not know we were coming. It was conducted on 09 &10 May 2017.

Stocks Hall is registered to provide nursing and personal care and accommodation for up to 42 adults. The home is situated on a main road position in Mawdsley, a quiet residential area, but is within easy reach of Preston, Chorley and the towns of West Lancashire. There are four separate spacious and well-designed units within the home, which provide a variety of tastefully decorated and well-furnished communal areas and dining rooms. All accommodation is provided on a single room basis. Bathrooms are located throughout the home. There are 13 luxury apartments situated on the top floor of the home. These can be purchased for independent living, with an option to have support and personal care provided by the care home staff, if needed. This can include personal care, cleaning, food provision, activities and trips out. A range of amenities are available in the area and public transport links are nearby. There are ample car parking spaces adjacent to the premises.

This location is a new acquisition for Stocks Hall Care Homes Limited. This is the first inspection of the home, following registration in December 2015. The registered manager was on annual leave at the time of our inspection. 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 of the Health and Social Care Act and associated regulations about how the service is run. The deputy manager was on duty and was cooperative and available throughout our inspection.

We toured the premises and found the environment to be warm, clean and hygienic throughout. Suitable equipment had been provided and accessible gardens were well-designed for those who lived at the home. A business continuity plan had been developed, which outlined action to be taken in the event of any environmental emergency, which could affect the operation of the home.

People’s needs had been assessed prior to a placement at the home being arranged and individual preferences had, in most cases been considered. However, the planning of people’s care and treatment was not always person centred and did not consistently reflect their needs. We found that people were treated in a kind and caring manner, with their privacy, dignity and independence being promoted.

We found that mental capacity assessments had not always been completed and formal consent had not always been obtained before the taking of photographs, the use of equipment and before care and treatment was provided. We made a recommendation about this.

At this inspection we found that people were receiving a nutritious and well balanced diet and meal times were being well managed, with good support being offered.

Records relating to those who lived at the home were stored securely. A system was in place for assessing, monitoring and improving the quality of service provided which helped to mitigate any potential risks and therefore promoted people’s safety. However, this could be extended to incorporate more areas and to identify how and when actions have been taken in order to address any shortfalls. A wide range of risk assessments had been introduced in relation to people’s health care needs and the safety of the environment.

The completion of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans [PEEP] was discussed with the deputy manager on the first day of our inspection. Although these were in place in most cases, some information was missing. However, this had been addressed before we returned to the home the following day.

Records showed that people's views about the quality of service provided were sought in the form of surveys and meetings and complaints were managed well. Safeguarding incidents had not always been well managed,