Blossom Place

Updated 8 June 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This service was inspected by one inspector, a specialist advisor, and an Expert by Experience on the first day. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. One inspector returned to the service on the second day to complete the inspection.

Service and service type

Blossom Place 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.

Registered Manager

The service was required to have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included details about incidents the provider must tell us about, such as any safeguarding alerts that had been raised. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We sought feedback from commissioners and the local authority safeguarding team. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people and two relatives of people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of care staff, the registered manager, the office administrator and the health and safety staff. We carried out observations of care provided in the communal areas. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records, five staff files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at a range of records related to staff recruitment and training, care plans, medicines management, and quality assurance records were also reviewed.

Updated 8 June 2023

About the service

Blossom Place is a care home providing personal care and accommodation to up to 14 adults with mental health needs. The location consists of three buildings, each of which has its own separately adapted facilities. At the time of the first day of inspection, 10 people were using the service and there were nine people using the service on the second day of the inspection.

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

The quality assurance system and processes had failed to identify and correct issues we found at the inspection. However, we found some improvements as well, in relation to risk assessments, using personal protective equipment, and respecting people’s equality and diversity. People received their prescribed medicine. However, we found concerns around allergy to particular medicines and their effects on people.

People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew the actions to take to report abuse. There were enough staff available to support people safely. People were protected from the risk of infection. The provider had a system to manage accidents and incidents.

Staff received support through training, supervision, and staff meetings to ensure they could meet people’s needs. Staff showed an understanding of equality and diversity. Staff respected people’s choices and preferences. People were treated with dignity; their privacy was respected, and they were supported to be as independent in their care as possible.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s consent was sought for the care and support they received.

People’s needs were assessed, which covered a range of people’s needs. People and their relatives were encouraged to participate in making decisions about their care and support. Care plans were up to date and reflected people’s assessed needs. People and their relatives knew how to raise complaints about the service. The registered manager responded to complaints appropriately in line with the provider's procedure. The registered manager knew what to do if someone required end of life care.

There was a management structure at the service and staff were aware of the roles of the management team. The registered manager and staff worked with other external professionals to ensure people were supported to meet their needs.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 15 February 2022). At that inspection we found breach of regulations in relation to dignity and respect, safe care and treatment, and good governance. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations 10 and 12. However, we found the provider remained in breach of regulation 17. The service remains rated requires improvement.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Enforcement and recommendations

We have identified one breach in relation to good governance at this inspection and we made one recommendation about management of medicines.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take, at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.