St Brendans Residential Home

Updated 18 December 2020

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 coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 03 December 2020 and was announced.

Updated 18 December 2020

About the service

St Brendan’s is a residential care home providing personal care to 26 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 26 people.

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

People said they liked living at the home and they enjoyed the company of the staff who supported them. We saw that people were relaxed and chatty with the staff and the registered manager. There was a friendly atmosphere at the home with people enjoying each-others company.

People were safe at St Brendans. People had clear risk assessments and plans in place which identified their needs and told staff how to respond to these, in order to promote people’s safety. Staff were mindful about what potential harm or abuse could look like. They understood their responsibilities in responding to any concerns identified. Various safety checks were completed on a regular basis to ensure the building and equipment used was safe.

People’s health needs were monitored closely. Action was taken quickly by staff and the registered manager when people were unwell or showed signs they could be unwell. The registered manager ensured referrals were made to other health professionals to meet people’s changing needs.

People said, and they looked like they enjoyed the food. Processes were in place to respond when some people started to become an unhealthy weight.

Staff said they were supported by their colleagues and the registered manager. Training was provided which reflected people’s needs. The registered manager completed checks to see if the training had been effective.

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.

Staff were supportive and thoughtful towards people at the home. People’s privacy and dignity was promoted. Staff spent time with people and responded when they looked like they needed some help. There were activities and events taking place throughout the week. Staff were also mindful of those who spent a lot of time in their bedrooms. Staff spent time with these people too.

There was a positive culture at the home. Staff were open and friendly. The registered manager was very present in the day to day running of the home. The provider was also very involved with the home. Both the registered manager and the provider were open to change and suggestions.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 19 August 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.