The Branches

Updated 24 November 2020

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

This inspection took place on 11 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 24 November 2020

About the service

The Branches is a care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 24 people including people living with a dementia. At the time of inspection, 19 people were living at the home.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they liked living at the home. Feedback from relatives and one visiting professional was very positive regarding the level of care and support people received.

People told us they received safe care. Appropriate environmental and personal risk assessments were in place to keep people safe. Medicines were handled safely by staff who had received appropriate training in this area. Staff were recruited safely.

People’s needs were fully assessed by the registered manager prior to coming to live in the home. Staff told us they received training to support them in their role.

Staff told us they felt supported by the registered manager. They described them as approachable, honest firm and fair. Staff told us the registered manager listened to any concerns they had.

People were supported to maintain a varied, healthy and balanced diet. Feedback from people and relatives confirmed everyone enjoyed the home cooked meals which were on offer. People could choose what they wanted to eat from the menu or could ask for an alternative if they wished. People told us they had access to refreshments and snacks throughout the day. Where necessary, people were referred to healthcare professionals to support their health and well-being.

Without exception, people and relatives told us staff supported them in a very caring way. They also told us they felt comfortable talking to staff. Relatives told us the reason they had chosen the home for their loved ones was because the atmosphere was like one big family and staff got to know people inside out.

People were encouraged and supported to maintain their spiritual faith as well as longstanding friendships. People had access to activities within the home and could access the garden area as they chose. People’s end of life wishes had been captured in their care plans.

The registered manager welcomed feedback through various sources. They sent out yearly questionnaires to gather people’s and relative’s opinions. This feedback was used to further improve the level of care provided. The registered manager carried out a range of monthly quality checks across all aspects of care and service provided.

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

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was good (published 4 May 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.