Archived: Birch Trees Nursing Home

Updated 2 March 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 included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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 an 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

Birch Trees Nursing 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

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 looked at statutory notifications which the registered manager is required to send to us by law. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with nine people and two relatives about their experience of the service. We spoke with the provider who is also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, the home manager who was in charge of the day-to-day management, a registered nurse, two care staff and the housekeeper.

We reviewed a range of records including five care plans and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We sought feedback from health care professionals who work with the service.

Updated 2 March 2022

About the service

Birch Trees Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 22 people in one adapted building. The service provides support to people with a range of health conditions, including people with terminal illnesses and/or dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service.

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

People were safe living at the home. One person said, “Day and night-time, there’s always someone around”. People’s risks had been identified and assessed, and were managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s care and support needs. The home was very clean and well-maintained.

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 had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. People’s nutritional needs were met. One person commented, “The quality of the food is good, but I don’t have much appetite. Because I eat slowly, they do special things for me to tempt me and don’t rush me”.

People were looked after by kind and caring staff who knew them well. People were treated with dignity and respect, and their diverse needs were catered for.

Personalised care was the focus of the home. People were encouraged to stay in contact with their family and friends. One person said, “My wife visits once a week. We can sit here in my room or outside in the summer”. A relative said they had visited other homes before finally choosing Birch Trees Nursing Home for their loved one and said, “We liked it so much and we’re happy with the care here”.

The management team were involved in all aspects of the home. People knew who the managers were and commented they saw the home manager regularly. Staff felt supported by the provider and the management team. One staff member said, “We became people’s family through Covid when relatives couldn’t visit”.

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

This service was registered with us on 11 June 2019 and this was their first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 13 December 2016.

Why we inspected

The inspection was undertaken in order to give the home a rating under the new provider.

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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Follow up

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