Background to this inspection
Updated
14 January 2022
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 an 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
James Burns 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 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 and sought feedback from the local authority 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 of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, team leaders, care workers, administrator and the chef.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff 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 January 2022
About the service
James Burns House is a residential care home providing personal care to 18 adults at the time of our inspection. The home specialises in supporting people with a physical disability. The service can support up to 21 people. Accommodation is provided in a single storey adapted building.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People described the care as safe and were supported by staff who had been trained to recognise and report any safeguarding concerns. Risks to people were assessed, monitored and reviewed and staff understood actions they needed to take to mitigate avoidable harm. Staffing levels met people’s assessed needs. Recruitment practices ensured staff were suitable to work with people living at James Burns House. Infection, prevention and control measures were being followed in line with government guidance. People had their medicines administered safely.
We have made a recommendation about the management of some medicines.
Pre-admission assessments were comprehensive and included details of people’s care needs and choices. Care was provided by staff had that completed an induction and had on-going training and support which enabled them to carry out their roles effectively. People had their eating and drinking needs understood, had a choice of well-balanced meals and were enabled to be as independent as possible. The environment provided accessible space both inside and outside and areas for both social and private time. People were supported to access community health services such as dentists and doctors. When transferring between services, people had a hospital and communication passport containing key information about a person.
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.
People and their families spoke positively about the care they received, felt involved in decisions and supported with maximising their independence. Staff were respectful of people’s privacy and dignity.
People had person centred care plans that recognised lifestyle choices, cultural and religious needs and were understood and followed by the staff team. People were involved in reviews and goal setting. People were supported in hobbies, interests, attending social clubs and joining in with planned activities and trips. A complaints process was in place that people were aware of and felt able to use. People had an opportunity to be involved in end of life care planning ensuring any wishes, cultural or religious needs were understood.
The home had an open culture that was focused on ensuring people’s rights were met and they received person centred care. Staff enjoyed their roles, felt supported and involved in the service. Quality assurance processes were multi layered and effective at ensuring best practice. Partnerships with other professional agencies supported on-going learning and development of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
This service was registered with us on 6 August 2019 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good (published 29 June 2019).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the service changing ownership.
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 read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for James Burns House on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.