Background to this inspection
Updated
25 January 2022
As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 19 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours of notice of the inspection
Updated
25 January 2022
About the service
Blair House is a care home that provides nursing care and support to people with mental health needs. The home is registered for 41 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
At our last inspection the service was in breach of regulation in relation to safe care and treatment. At this inspection, however, the registered provider had made improvements and was no longer in breach of regulation.
Staff used creative, personalised methods and strategies to inspire and encourage people to get the most out of their support at Blair House. People felt consulted with, listened to and empowered. The service had gone the extra mile to spend time finding out what people liked. The service was exceptional at supporting people to follow their likes and interests, which led to them having increased confidence. The service worked effectively with other professionals to meet people’s health and care needs in sensitive, personalised ways People’s journeys and personal achievements were captured in case studies people had written themselves with help from their relatives or staff members. Outcomes and achievements were celebrated.
Information was sourced and available at Blair House which took into account people’s varying levels of understanding. Communication preferences were given great consideration.
Staff engaged and supported people with enriching and culturally relevant activities. The registered manager had reached out to the local community. This allowed people to grow in confidence and engage with the wider community. There was a complaints process in place which outlined response times and procedure. End of life care was discussed sensitively and with care and compassion.
People were protected from avoidable harm and abuse. Relatives told us they felt their family member was safe and well protected. There were enough staff on duty with the right mix of skills to support people safely and effectively. Staff were recruited and selected safely. Medications were safely managed, administered and stored. Infection control and prevention was managed well at the service. Incidents, accidents and near misses were recorded and monitored to ensure there was opportunity for lessons learned.
People were assessed before they came to the home by the registered manager, and their outcomes and choices were recorded and monitored to ensure consistency and good practice. Staff were supported and supervised, trained, and suitably skilled to meet the requirements of their role. People were supported by staff to have sufficient food and fluid intake throughout the day and night. There was a clear process for referring people to external services were required and this was applied consistently to ensure care was safe. The service fully met and complied with the principles of the MCA and no one was being unlawfully deprived of their liberty.
Staff treated people with respect, kindness, equality and dignity. Relatives spoke positively about the staff. People were included as much as possible in their day to decision making and choices. People’s privacy and independence was encouraged, family relationships and friendships were respected and promoted.
The registered manager promoted a positive ethos and culture, which was centred around personalisation and inclusion. The registered manager and provider understood their responsibility to inform people when care fell short or did not meet expected standards. Risks to people’s health, safety and wellbeing was effectively managed through ongoing monitoring of the service. The registered manager had a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in line with regulatory requirements. The service was open and inclusive and fully considered people’s equality needs. There were effective systems in place for checking and improving the quality and safety of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The service was last rated requires improvement. (Report Published 2 February 2019).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection in line with the last 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.