Archived: Bethesda

Updated 23 October 2019

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

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

The service had 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the home manager, registered manager, wellbeing assistant, care workers, the chef, and domestic staff. We also spoke with a representative of the welfare committee and a trustee of the charity. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed. We reviewed feedback from five professionals and two further relatives.

Updated 23 October 2019

About the service

Bethesda is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 19 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. Bethesda is part of the Christadelphian community but also offers support to people outside of that faith.

Bethesda can accommodate up to 23 people in one adapted building. The service offers both long stay and short stay respite care. Some people were living with dementia. Bethesda does not provide nursing care. Where needed this is provided by the community nursing team.

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

People told us they felt safe living at Bethesda. People were protected from the risk of harm. Risks

were managed safely, and safe processes were in place.

There was a relaxed atmosphere between people and staff. Staff were kind, caring and attentive. People told us, “They’re so friendly; so obliging” and “They’re very kind and all lovely. I couldn’t be anywhere better.”

Staff had enough time to meet people's needs and spend time with them in conversation. Staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people's needs effectively. Staff told us they were well supported in their role.

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.

People were involved in making decisions about their care and supported to maintain their independence. Care plans contained detailed up-to-date information about each person's needs and preferences. People received personalised care from staff who knew them well.

People enjoyed taking part in social activities, going out in the local community, and spending time with family and friends. People chose to live at Bethesda because of its Christadelphian ethos. The service also accommodated people who were not Christadelphians. People were supported, to attend their local church. Daily prayer meetings and bible readings took place within the service.

The service was well managed. When speaking about the registered manager, staff said, “(Registered manager’s name) has huge knowledge about everything” and “A good leader of the team.” Quality assurance processes ensured people received high quality care.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 26 April 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 reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

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