Brendoncare Meadway

Updated 14 February 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Brendoncare Meadway is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Brendoncare Meadway is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we held about the home and contacted the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people and received feedback from 6 relatives about their experience of the care provided.

We had feedback from 6 members of staff including the registered manager. We contacted 4 health and social care professionals.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care and support records and 2 people’s medicine administration records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and training. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the home, including policies and procedures, audits, accident and incident records, safeguarding records and reports.

Updated 14 February 2023

About the service

Brendoncare Meadway is a residential care home registered to provide care and support to up to 13 people. The service provides care for older people over two floors with access to all areas by stairs, lift and stair lift. At the time of our inspection there were 11 people receiving care and support at the home.

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

People told us they were safe living at Brendoncare Meadway. People had risk assessments in place for their care and support needs and staff knew people well. Staff had received training and understood their duty of care and legal requirement to report safeguarding concerns.

Medicines were not always managed safely. We have made a recommendation about medication practices within the home, the provider took action to address this shortfall during the inspection. People were supported to continue to manage their medications independently.

Care plans and risk assessments were person centred. People and relatives told us staff knew them well. Staff supported people in a kind and compassionate way, considering their dignity and privacy, one person told us, “I continue to be amazed that the dedicated staff can be, day by day, so friendly, kind, and patient. I am particularly grateful residents are not obliged to join in activities, even including at mealtimes.” The home and garden were accessible.

Infection prevention control procedures were robust. Feedback from people, relatives and staff identified people were protected due to a consistent response from staff when following guidance during the pandemic. Environmental safety checks were in place and fire safety was managed by the provider.

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, relatives and staff spoke positively of the culture within the home. The registered manager explained that staff levels had been increased following feedback from people using the service. One person told us, “We are so lucky. Staff work together as a team so well and oh of course I am safe, absolutely. We're here, we're alive and we like it.” Another person stated, “We are a family here .”

The home worked well with other organisations; including the local GP surgery, district nurses and local colleges. The home understood the importance and benefit of links with the community by offering volunteering opportunities and maintaining ties with the person’s local church .

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 28 September 2017).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Recommendation

The home had a medication policy in place, but this had not always been followed. We have made a recommendation about the safe storage of medicines within the home. The provider was responsive to address the shortfalls found within this inspection and took immediate action.

Follow up

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