1 February 2017
During a routine inspection
The Birches provides residential care to older people. The Birches is registered to provide care for up to 19 people. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people living at the home.
A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. 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.
At the last inspection of the service on 20 June 2016 we asked the provider to make improvements in how consent was sought from people. We received an action plan from the provider which outlined the action they were going to take. This advised us of their plan to be compliant with the regulations by October 2016. We found that improvements had been made. People were asked for their written consent to care following their admission to the home. This was in addition to staff agreeing their actions prior to each caring intervention. However the provider had not sought the views of people or their relatives about the installation of CCTV cameras. This demonstrated that the need for consent had not been fully recognised by the provider.
At the last inspection we asked the provider to take action to ensure people were safeguarded from abuse, and improper restraint. We found that improvements had been made and the registered manager had made applications to the local authority to legally deprive people of their liberty. The registered manager and care staff had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. They were also aware of best interests meetings to ensure peoples treatment was in line with the MCA and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Staff received induction and on-going training for their specific job role, and were able to explain how they kept people safe from abuse. Staff were aware of whistleblowing and what external assistance there was to follow up and report suspected abuse. Staff were subject to a thorough recruitment procedure that ensured staff were qualified and suitable to work at the home.
The provider had a clear management structure within the home, which meant that the staff were aware who to contact out of hours if an equipment repair was necessary. The provider carried out quality monitoring checks in the home supported by the registered manager and home’s staff. The provider had developed opportunities for people to express their views about the service. These included the views and suggestions from people using the service, their relatives and health and social care professionals.
People were provided with a choice of meals that met their dietary needs. The catering staff were aware of people’s dietary needs, and sought people’s opinions about the menu choices to meet their individual dietary needs and preferences. A range of activities tailored to people’s interests were provided by staff on a regular basis. Staff had had access to information and a good understanding of people’s care needs. People were able to maintain contact with family and friends and visitors were welcome without undue restrictions.
Relatives we spoke with were complimentary about the registered manager and staff, and the care offered to their relations. People were involved in the review of their care plan, and when appropriate their relative’s views were included. We observed staff positively interacted with people at lunch, where people were offered choices and their decisions were respected. Staff had access to people’s care plans and received regular updates about people’s care needs. Care plans were being re-written to ensure they were easy to read and described the care and assistance people required. Care plans included changes to peoples care and treatment and people were offered and attended routine health checks, with health professionals both in the home and externally.
Staff were aware of the reporting procedure for faults and repairs and had access to the maintenance to manage any emergency repairs.
We received positive feedback from the staff from the local authority with regard to the improved care and services offered to people at The Birches.