Byng House

Byng House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 37 people. The service provides support to adults including those living with dementia, a mental health condition(s) and those living with a physical disability and/or sensory impairment. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting 24 people.

The service has 23 intermediate care places (these are places supported by rehabilitation services from the local NHS provider.) The remainder are both respite and more permanent places.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We were assured checks to ensure the health and safety of the environment were carried out, however, we have made a recommendation about better recording these checks.

We were assured that the registered manager analysed accidents and incidents, however, we have made a recommendation about better recording any findings to evidence themes and trends.

We were assured that the registered manager had oversight of the service, however, we have made a recommendation about strengthening governance processes, to help further drive improvements to the quality and safety of the service.

The registered manager began to act on our recommendations during the inspection process.

Medicines were managed safely. People received their medicines as prescribed by staff who were competent to administer them.

Risks to people's health, safety and well-being were assessed. Staff had access to information about how to manage people's identified risks and support them in a safe way. People told us they felt safe when receiving care and support.

A stable team structure was in place, people received care from staff they knew and who were familiar with their needs and preferences. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs in a timely manner.

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. Consent for care and support was being obtained in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005.

People's needs were assessed and planned for in line with best practice and staff were knowledgeable about people’s current needs and preferences. Care was tailored to meet people's individual needs.

We received consistently positive feedback from people and their relatives about the care and support provided by staff.

The registered manager was instrumental in instilling a culture which was underpinned by values of compassion, dignity and independence, values which were shared and practiced by staff.

The service worked in a collaborative way with external professionals to help achieve positive outcomes for people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 15 March 2021, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We carried out this inspection to award the service with an overall rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

We found the following examples of good practice.

•A safe visiting procedure was in place. People's relatives were tested for COVID-19 with lateral flow tests prior to visits taking place. Lateral flow testing is a fast track test which allows the home to receive a COVID-19 test result within 15 to 30 minutes. All visits were pre booked and people's relatives were supported to wash their hands and wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

•Staff and residents were tested regularly for COVID-19.

•People were admitted to the service safely. People were tested for COVID-19 prior to their arrival and were cared for in their own rooms during the 14 day isolation period. There was a designated area for people with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. This area had its own entrance and was separate from the rest of the home.

•The home was clean and hygienic throughout. The registered manager told us they had implemented stricter cleaning protocols to minimise the risk of spreading infection.

•Staff were using and disposing of PPE safely and in line with the relevant national guidance.

•A dedicated infection prevention and control lead and a COVID-19 champion kept staff updated on any changes to COVID-19 guidance.

We were assured that this service met good infection prevention and control guidelines as a designated care setting.