Eachstep Blackburn

Eachstep Blackburn is a purpose built care home located near the centre of Blackburn. The home provides residential and nursing care up to a maximum of 64 people. There were 60 people living in the home at the time of the inspection. Accommodation is provided over three floors and all bedrooms are single with an ensuite toilet and shower room.

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

People told us they felt safe living in the home and were satisfied with the service provided. Staff understood how to protect people from harm or discrimination and had access to safeguarding adults’ procedures. There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people’s needs, however, we found some gaps in the recruitment records of new staff. There were shortfalls in some people’s care plans and records and risks to people’s health safety and well-being had not always been assessed and managed. The home had a satisfactory standard of cleanliness and staff had completed training on the prevention and control of infection. Medicines were not always managed safely.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People’s needs were usually assessed prior to them using the service. People were provided with a balanced diet; the dining experience on one floor was a pleasant social occasion. However, we made a recommendation to improve people’s dining experience on another floor. The provider had appropriate arrangements to ensure staff received training relevant to their role. The premises were light and spacious with themed areas. However, some walls and woodwork would benefit from redecoration. The operations director told us there was plans for redecoration and refurbishment.

Staff and relatives were concerned about a potential healthcare condition. This issue was discussed with the manager, who assured us they were seeking advice and support from medical professionals.

People were satisfied with their care and told us staff were kind and respectful. Whilst staff were caring, we noted there were limited interactions between the staff and people living in the home. The manager assured us this issue would be addressed. Staff respected people’s rights to privacy, dignity and independence.

People had individual care plans, however, whilst some plans had been completed other were incomplete and sections had been left blank. People spoken with could not recall discussing their needs and being involved in the development of their care plan. The manager explained a new electronic care planning system was due to be introduced.

Whilst the management team carried out a series of audits as part of the governance systems, we found shortfalls during the inspection in respect of the management of risks and medicines and the completion of records. We also found that people were given limited opportunities to express their views. We saw no evidence of group residents’ meetings and people had not been invited to complete a satisfaction survey.

The manager and director of operations were committed to making the necessary improvements to the service and sent us information on their intended actions following the inspection.

Rating at the last inspection

This service was registered with us on 13 October 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was outstanding, published on 22 October 2020.

The rating at this inspection is requires improvement.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns in relation to a lack of staff, medicine errors, management of healthcare condition, record keeping and the management of the home.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

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.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.

We have identified breaches in relation to the management of risks, the management of medicines, the governance systems and record keeping. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.