Archived: The Beeches

Updated 11 March 2021

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.

This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific issue that had been raised in relation to the management of falls. 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

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Beeches Care 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.

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

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection including all information we held in relation to the Inquest which had prompted this inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven members of staff, including the deputy manager, area director and other members of the management team and care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, handover records and information from accidents and incidents, together with analysis and lesson learnt. We completed checks of the premises to ensure it was clean and good infection prevention and control practice was being followed.

After the inspection

We reviewed documentation the service had sent including policies and procedures in relation to infection prevention and control and falls management.

Updated 11 March 2021

This inspection took place on 1 February 2018 and was unannounced.

The Beeches 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 could accommodate up to 32 people. At the time of the inspection 27 people were using the service.

The Beeches is a purpose built establishment, situated to the rear of Yew Trees Residential Home. Both homes are owned and managed by Meridian Healthcare Limited, part of HC-One Limited. Accommodation is provided on two floors with stairs and a passenger lift between the floors.

We inspected the service in January 2015 and rated the service as 'Good'. At this inspection we found the service remained 'Good'.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

Relatives felt the service was safe. Policies and procedures were in place to keep people safe such as safeguarding, accident and incident policies. Staff had received training in safeguarding and knew how to report concerns.

We found that medicines were safely managed and only appropriately trained staff had the responsibility for administering medicines to people.

Staff recruitment procedures were robust and included Disclosure and Barring Service checks and references. Staffing levels were appropriate to the needs of the people using the service.

Risk assessments were detailed, person-centred, and gave staff clear guidance about how to help keep people safe. People had personal emergency evacuation plans in place in case of an emergency.

Records were available to demonstrate that where appropriate mental capacity assessments and deprivation of liberty safeguards authorisations were in place. We saw records that indicated people and / or their representative had given their consent to their care and treatment. However, the provider needed to ensure they evidenced people’s Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPA) to provide assurances people’s relatives / representatives had the correct legal authorisation to be involved in the persons care.

Staff were trained in a range of subjects such as infection control, health and safety and fire safety. Staff had also received training to support them to meet the needs of people who used the service, such as dementia awareness.

Staff received regular supervisions and an annual appraisal which covered their personal development. Staff felt they were well supported by the registered manager and assistant manager.

We found that people's nutritional needs were being met. People's views on the quality of the food were however mixed. We looked around the home and found the environment to be conducive to the needs of the people who lived there. The environment was generally well maintained. However, we found some areas of the home would benefit with redecoration. Rooms were bright and people had been encouraged to bring in personal items from home and many rooms were personalised.

We saw that the interactions of the staff with people were kind and they treated people in a respectful and dignified way and we saw that people were well dressed and cared for.

Staff were carrying out activities whenever they had the opportunity and time to do so and we observed people enjoying participating in a game of bowels and bingo during the inspection.

We looked at the complaints file and the complaints being dealt with at the time of our inspection. We saw that appropriate details of each complaint had been recorded along with details of actions taken to date.

The premises were well suited to people's needs, with ample individual living space. Communal areas were available for people to spend time together. Bathrooms were designed to meet the needs of the people living at the home.

Person-centred care plans were in place and contained good levels of detailed information. Care plans contained people's likes, dislikes and preferences. Regular reviews took place to ensure staff had up to date information.

The provider had a quality assurance process to monitor the quality of the service. Staff were extremely positive about the registered manager and assistant manager. We found people who used the service, family members and staff attended regular meetings where the quality of the service was discussed.