This was an unannounced inspection which took place on 16 August 2018.

Thamesfield Nursing Home is registered to provide nursing and personal care for up to twelve older people. Some people had other associated difficulties such as living with dementia, sensory and mobility difficulties. Accommodation was provided in an adapted building over two floors. A lift was available between floors. There were seven people living in the home on the day of the inspection. Five of the rooms were being refurbished to a high standard.

People in care homes with nursing receive accommodation, nursing and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

This was the first inspection of the service since it changed providers and re-registered on 25 August 2017. Under its previous registration it was rated as good in May 2016.

At this inspection the service was rated as good in all five domains which means the service is overall good.

There was a registered manager running 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.

People, staff and visitors were protected from any form of harm and everyone’s safety and comfort was carefully considered. General health and safety risks and risks to individuals were identified and action was taken to reduce them, as far as possible.

Staff had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults and health and safety policies and procedures. They understood their responsibilities for keeping people safe and knew how to protect the people in their care. People were supported to take their medicines safely.

People were supported by care staff who had been recruited to ensure they had the right attitudes and personalities to care for people safely. The service made sure there were enough suitably trained, experienced and skilled staff to meet people’s needs safely.

People were offered care by staff who had been appropriately trained and supported to enable them to meet people’s varied needs. Care staff were effective in meeting people’s needs as described in plans of care. The service worked closely with health and other professionals to meet any specific or specialised needs.

People were assisted to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported by a very caring staff team who built relationships with them and knew their needs well. People were supported and encouraged to be as independent as they were able to be.

Care staff were exceptionally responsive to individual’s needs. People’s needs were reviewed regularly to ensure the care provided was up-to-date. Care plans included information to ensure people’s individual communication needs were understood. Care planning was person-centred and noted people’s preferences and choices.

The registered manager was highly thought of and described positively by people, staff and other professionals. She was described as very approachable, supportive and efficient. The registered manager and the staff team were committed to ensuring there was no discrimination relating to staff or people in the service. The provider, registered manager and staff team continually assessed, reviewed and improved the quality of care provided.