The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found the quality of care provided by Belsfield House, Blackpool, to be outstanding following an inspection in March 2016.
Belsfield House provides nursing care and support for a maximum of 40 people who live with dementia, physical disability or mental health conditions. At the time of the inspection visit there were 39 people who lived at the home.
The service has been rated Outstanding for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led; and was rated Good for being safe. Belsfield House was rated as outstanding overall.
A full report of the inspection is available at: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-133699569
People and relatives that inspectors spoke with said they felt staff were exceptional in meeting their needs. One visitor commented, “My [relative] improved dramatically because of their caring input, knowledge and expertise.”
The provider had invested in its staff significantly by providing a range of highly specialist courses, refresher training and guidance in evidence-based, best practice.
Inspectors found learning was put into practice to ensure care was exceptional, and extensive monitoring and assessment of people’s support, meant care was highly effective. As a result, Belsfield House had reduced unnecessary hospital admissions.
The registered manager had ensured Belsfield House was well resourced with very high staffing levels, including a mix of experienced and proficient staff which ensured people’s needs were attended to above and beyond basic care.
Belsfield House recently received the top ‘Beacon’ award from the Gold Standards Framework because of excellence in end of life care. They had exceeded standards, showed innovation and established outstanding practice. Inspectors found areas of particular strength included dignity and respect, staff and management were all passionate about the end of life care they provided.
The registered manager went the extra mile to provide responsive help to people who lived at the home. This included organising extra staff to support newly admitted individuals with high anxiety levels throughout the day on a one-to-one basis.
This responsiveness also extended to the operational swimming pool in the basement to meet the needs of people who lived at the home. They had also recruited a physiotherapist, which provided people with an additional specialist service to improve their care and quality of life.
Inspectors observed that Belsfield had exceptional leadership, this steered staff to provide outstanding care that was highly responsive to people’s requirements. The management and organisation of the home was underpinned by a clear set of values. A relative commented, “All those words like support, compassion, privacy, dignity, etc, listed on the office wall is exactly what this home is about.” The inspection team observed staff and the management team consistently acted according to these values in all aspects of their work.
The registered manager actively sought and acted upon the views of staff, people who lived at the home and visitors. There was a positive culture to continually strive to improve quality of care.
Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care in the North, said:
“This is a fantastic care home and there are many examples of outstanding practice that are clearly helping in delivering an excellent person-centred service.
“We were particularly impressed with the registered manager’s commitment to providing quality and responsive care to people using this service and empowering staff to do the same.
“Residents and relatives told us repeatedly about what an excellent service this was and how management and staff often go above and beyond to ensure their needs are met.
“This is a real achievement for the whole team at Belsfield House, and a great example of what Outstanding care should look like.”
Ends
For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Kerri James on 07464 92 9966. Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here. Please note: the press office is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters.
For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61.