Background to this inspection
Updated
25 October 2019
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Brooklodge 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 reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
The one person who used the service was unable to tell us about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the provider and registered manager who provided most of the care.
We reviewed a range of records. This included the care and medication records for the one person who used the service. We looked at all four staff files in relation to recruitment and training. Other records viewed included the management of fire and premises and equipment safety.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with one of the two staff employed by the provider. The second staff member worked infrequently. We spoke with three of the relatives of the one person who used the service and three professionals who were involved with the service. A relative of a person who had used the home for respite provided us with written feedback.
Updated
25 October 2019
About the service
Brooklodge is a residential care home providing personal care to one person aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to three people. Accommodation is within the provider and registered manager’s own home and is over a single storey with several communal areas as well as private bedrooms. The provider had decided not to admit further people into the home at the time of inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The one person who used the service received an exceptionally person-centred service that met their needs. They were supported by a small staff team resulting in consistent and individualised care that was flexible and dedicated. Staff knew them and their needs, extraordinarily well.
The person’s needs had been assessed and recorded and these were regularly reassessed for any changing needs and care adapted as appropriate. The person had their health needs met and received their medicines as prescribed. The service took time to meet their complex nutritional needs and this was dedicated in ensuring the best results were achieved.
The individual risks to the person had been identified and managed and actions taken had reduced the likelihood of harm. Risks associated with the premises had also been managed however, the service could not always demonstrate this through documentation. For example, there was no certificate in place to demonstrate the electrical wiring had been tested as required.
The provider employed only two staff who worked infrequently. They had received training and the one staff member we spoke with told us they felt supported and part of a small and close-knit staff team. There were no concerns with staff performance, as confirmed by the relatives we spoke with, however the provider could not fully demonstrate that they had completed all checks on their suitability for their roles as required.
There were no formal processes in place for such aspects as meetings with stakeholders and staff and gaining people’s feedback on the service provided. However, due to the small and personal nature of the service, this was not required as communication was continual and individual. Records were not always in place to document what care was provided and the outcomes achieved however, as only the provider and registered manager delivered care, the risks associated with this were significantly low and communication was constant amongst the care givers.
People told us the service was caring and would recommend it. One relative said, “I would recommend Brooklodge to anyone who wants a more personal and friendly type of care for their relative, the sort big homes are just not able to provide.” Relatives told us staff ensured their relative’s dignity was maintained and that they had a kind and devoted approach. The one person who used the service was supported to have maximum choice and control of their life and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (report published 3 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous 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.