Bywell House Care Home

Updated 10 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 10 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 10 March 2022

Bywell House is a residential care home registered for up to 20 people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection, the home was fully occupied. Bywell House is situated close to the centre of Worthing and the seafront. Communal areas include a sitting room, dining room and a further small sitting room. People have access to the gardens at the home.

At the last inspection, the service was rated 'Good'. At this inspection, we found the service remained 'Good'.

People were protected from avoidable abuse and harm by trained staff. Risks were assessed, identified and managed appropriately, with guidance for staff on how to mitigate risks. Premises and equipment were managed safely and work was in progress to install a new wet room. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and new staff were vetted as to their suitability to work in a care setting before commencing employment. Medicines were managed safely.

Staff had been trained in a range of areas to enable them to provide effective care to people in line with their support needs. Staff received regular supervision and appraisals of their work and performance. Staff meetings were organised. 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 support this practice. Menus provided people with a range of food choices and people enjoyed the food on offer at the home. Healthcare professionals were consulted as needed and people had access to a range of healthcare services.

Staff were kind, caring and compassionate with people. Relatives visiting the home were welcomed and included in the activities. People and their relatives were supported to express their views and encouraged to make decisions about their care. They were treated with dignity and respect.

Care plans were detailed and provided comprehensive information about people, their personal histories and preferences. Staff demonstrated that they had a good knowledge of people’s care needs and that they knew people well. Activities were organised by care staff and entertainers visited from outside the home. Complaints were managed in line with the provider’s policy.

People and their relatives were involved in developing the service; their views and feedback were obtained and acted upon. Residents’ meetings took place and questionnaires were completed by relatives. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. A registered manager was in post and was freely available to people, relatives and staff. Good quality care was delivered and a system of audits was in place to measure and monitor the service overall. Any actions identified were acted upon.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.