Bennfield House

Updated 9 March 2022

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.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 15 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection.

Updated 9 March 2022

Bennfield House 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 home offers accommodation for up to 27 older people living with dementia, mental health or nursing needs. Bennfield House is situated on a main road and has easy access to local transport, shops and other community facilities. There were 22 people living at the home at the time of the inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service ‘good’. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘good’ and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for ‘Bennfield House’ on our website at www.cqc.org.uk’

There was a registered manager who had been in post since 2007. 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.

People told us they were very happy with the quality of the care they received, and said staff treated them with respect and dignity, and cared for them in a way which met their needs and preferences. This was also confirmed by the relatives and healthcare professionals we spoke with.

There were arrangements in place to keep people safe and to help safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people from harm. Systems were in place to identify potential risks associated with people, the environment and equipment.

Medicines were stored and administered safely and medication records were legible and accurate.

Recruitment procedures continued to be robust, but we noted the application form did not request a full employment history, which would allow the registered provider to check people’s employment history more thoroughly. The registered provider said they would address this immediately. There was sufficient staff available to meet people's needs safely. Staff received the training and support they needed to meet people's needs and develop their skills and knowledge.

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 and choices continued to be assessed when they moved into the home and periodically after that. People were involved in planning their care. Care plans were personalised and overall they clearly reflected people’s current needs and preferences. People had access to a varied programme of social activities and events.

The service had an open and positive culture that encouraged involvement of people using the service, their families, staff and other professional organisations. Leadership was visible and promoted teamwork. People were encouraged to raise concerns or complaints and were asked for feedback about the service they received. Staff spoke positively about the service and had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Checks were carried out to identify areas where the service needed improving. The general environment needed some attention in places, for instance some areas needing redecoration or repair. However, these had been identified by the registered provider and action was being taken to address them.

The service understood their legal responsibilities for reporting and sharing information with other services.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.