Archived: Banbridge House

Updated 21 April 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 3 March 2017and was unannounced. It was carried out by an inspection manager and an adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection we looked at information we held about the service which included notifications of significant events and previous inspection reports. We also spoke with commissioners of the service and professionals who have been supporting the home since the death of the provider.

During the inspection we met with all six people who lived at the home. Some people were unable to fully express their views and we therefore observed care practices and spoke with three members of staff about the care provided to people. We also looked at three staff personnel files and two care plans. The acting manager was available throughout the inspection.

Updated 21 April 2017

This inspection was unannounced and took place on 28 June 2016.

Banbridge House is a care home which is registered to provide care to up to 19 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. At the time of this inspection there were nine people living at the home.

The registered provider manages the service on a day to day basis. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The last inspection of the home was carried out in August 2014. At that inspection the service was rated as Requires Improvement. We found that improvements were needed to ensure people had access to activities and social stimulation. We also found improvements were needed to ensure that quality assurance systems were formalised to make sure that any areas for improvement were addressed and the home took account of good practice guidelines. At this inspection we found that although there was evidence that improvements had been made these had not been sustained to ensure positive changes for people using the service.

Although the provider monitored standards on an informal basis there were no systems in place to ensure ongoing improvements. This meant that if the manager was absent there would be no systems for other staff to follow to ensure people received a consistent standard of care and support. There was no structured activity programme which meant people who were unable to occupy themselves had limited opportunities to take part in social activities.

Standards of maintenance and cleanliness were poor which could possibly place people at risk of the spread of inspection. Many communal areas of the building were worn and required decoration to ensure they provided a pleasant and safe environment for people. Some equipment used to support people was not hygienically clean or had not been serviced in accordance with recommendations.

There was a small stable staff team who knew people well and were able to provide care that respected each person as an individual. Staff training was not always kept up to date which could place people at risk of not receiving the most effective care to meet their needs.

There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people in a calm and unhurried manner and to spend time socialising. People spoke highly of the staff who supported them and said they were always kind and friendly. People were very relaxed with staff and the provider.

There was a complaints procedure on display but everyone said they would speak directly to the provider if they were unhappy with any aspect of their care. People felt confident that any issues highlighted would be resolved.

There was a homely and comfortable atmosphere where people were able to make choices about their day to day lives and visitors were always made welcome. One person said “You can do as you like within reason.” Where people were unable to make decisions for themselves staff knew how to support people and protect their legal rights.

People’s physical and mental health was monitored by staff and people had access to specialist healthcare professionals according to their individual needs. Care plans showed how risks to people’s health or well-being were assessed and how staff supported people to minimise risks.

People received their medicines safely at the prescribed times. Staff kept clear records of all medicines at the home.

People had the support they required to meet their nutritional needs and were offered choices of food. People were happy with the food served at the home. One person said “Food here is always nice.” Another person told us “Very nice food and always tasty.”

We found breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.