Background to this inspection
Updated
9 March 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
This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector, an assistant inspector, an inspector from the medicines team and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
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 had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 8 people who used the service and 2 family members visiting. We contacted 6 health professionals and received feedback from 3 health professionals. We spoke with 12 staff including the provider, registered manager, deputy manager, care staff, housekeeper/maintenance person and cook. We reviewed a range of records. This included 7 people's care records, multiple medicines administration records and looked at arrangements for administering, storing and managing medicines. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service, including 3 staff recruitment files and recent audits and checks.
Updated
9 March 2023
About the service
Belmont House is residential care home providing personal care for up to 21 people. The service provides support to older people some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were happy living at Belmont House and were supported by staff who were kind and caring.
Since the last inspection the provider had made improvements to the service to ensure people's care was delivered safely. There were effective quality monitoring systems in place to monitor the quality of the care and support people received which provided good outcomes for people.
Staff understood people’s needs, preferences and what was important to them. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity, encouraged people with making choices, and promoted their independence.
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 told us they felt safe. People were protected from the potential risk of harm and abuse as staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people and followed the provider's policies and procedures.
Risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing had been assessed and measures were in place to manage these risks. Medicines were managed safely. People were protected from the risk of infection.
There was sufficient staff at the service and the provider operated safe and robust recruitment and selection procedures to make sure staff were suitable and safe to work with people.
The provider and registered manager promoted a positive culture within the service and people received care that was person-centred.
People and their relatives were asked for their views about the quality of the care delivered at the service through surveys and meetings with people and their relatives.
People had access to health services to meet their needs, and there was positive feedback from healthcare professionals about their relationship with the home.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
Since the last inspection, the provider had changed their legal entity. The last rating for the service under their previous legal entity was requires improvement, published 7 August 2019.
At the last inspection the provider completed an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve.
At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
At our last inspection we recommended that the provider seek reputable guidance on completing and monitoring safe recruitment processes, implementing protocols for PRN medicines, the Accessible Information Standard and ensuring people’s records fully reflect their needs.
At this inspection we found the provider had acted on the recommendations and had made improvements.
Why we inspected
We carried out this inspection to provide a rating for this provider under their new legal entity.
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.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.