Bebington Care Home

Updated 14 February 2023

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

This inspection was carried out by an inspector, a medicines 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

Bebington Care Home 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. Bebington Care Home is a care home with 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 not a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 13 members of staff and home manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 14 February 2023

About the service

Bebington Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 87 people. The service provides support to people in need of nursing support, respite care, end of life care and general assistance with everyday living for people with dementia. At the time of inspection there were 57 people living at the home.

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

Medicines were not managed safely and records used to monitor people’s care was not always completed fully. Risks in relation to people's care had not been properly assessed. The systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service were not always used effectively to identify and mitigate risks.

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.

Feedback we received from staff, people and relatives was positive in regard to the new manager and provider. We observed staff supporting people in a caring, responsive and patient manner. We saw that people were comfortable in the presence of staff and positive relationships had developed between them.

Staff were recruited safely and received regular training, supervisions and attended staff meetings and there were enough staff on duty on the day of inspection to meet people's needs.

Equipment had been serviced and maintained and accidents and incidents were recorded and reviewed to help minimise the risk of reoccurrence. The environment was clean and welcoming, and it was undergoing a significant refurbishment.

Complaints, accidents and incidents were managed appropriately, and referrals were made to other professionals in a timely way for people when required. People were provided with opportunities to engage in a variety of activities to meet their needs. People’s dietary needs were catered for.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, published on 16 December 2020.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about medicines and governance of the service. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.

You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

The provider took immediate action to mitigate risks to people.

Enforcement and Recommendations

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 monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to medicines management, risk management and governance at this inspection.

Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from 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 continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.