Brownlow House

Updated 3 August 2022

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

The inspection team consisted of two inspectors and a medicines inspector.

Service and service type

Brownlow House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Brownlow House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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 inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on 25 February 2022 to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We reviewed care plans, audits, staff recruitment files and medicines. We spoke with four people living at the service and observed how care was provided in communal areas. We spoke with four staff including the cook, care assistant, team leader and registered manager. We also spoke with the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 3 August 2022

About the service

Brownlow House is a residential care home registered to provide accommodation with personal care for up to 31 people. The service provides support to adults with dementia, mental health needs or with a history of alcohol and substance misuse. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service. Brownlow House accommodates people in one adapted building.

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

We have recommended the service reviews their medicines audits . Regular health and safety checks were conducted at the service. Staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately throughout the inspection and the home appeared clean. Staffing levels were reviewed on a monthly basis in line with people’s needs. Staff were recruited safely.

Staff received appropriate training during their induction and ongoing development. Staff supervisions took place regularly. Staff supported people to eat and drink and access healthcare services.

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.

Staff knew people well and supported them in a dignified way. People were supported to express their views and be involved in their care planning. People told us that staff supported them with good humour.

Care plans were personalised. People were supported to take part in activities they enjoyed either as a group activity or for walks on their own. End of life care plans clearly outlined the support people would like at that time.

Staff and people living at the service felt they could approach the registered manager. There was an improvement plan in place at the service. Audits were being completed at the service. Since the last inspection the service were using a new system for care planning and to record accidents and incidents.

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 requires improvement (published 16 September 2019).

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.

At our last inspection we recommended that the provider reviews good practice guidance in relation to the management of medicines. At this this inspection we found the provider had made some improvements.

Why we inspected

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

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.