Background to this inspection
Updated
28 June 2016
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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 12 and 15 April 2016 and was unannounced. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.
Before the inspection we reviewed any information we had received about the provider since the last inspection. We contacted the local authority quality assurance team, to ask their views about the quality of the service provided. We also checked the website of Healthwatch Wirral for any additional information about the home. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During our visit we spoke to seven people who used the service, four relatives and 10 staff members. We spoke with two district nurses and two opticians during our visit.
We looked at a range of documentation including 11 care plans, medication records, staff records for six staff, staff training records, policies and procedures, auditing records, health and safety records and other records relating to how the home was managed.
Updated
28 June 2016
We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of Birkenhead Court on 12 and 15 April 2016. Birkenhead Court provides accommodation and personal care for up to 60 people. At the time of our visit 60 people were living at the home. Birkenhead Court is close to local shops and has good transport links.
The home is a three storey purpose built building in Bidston offering single accommodation of an excellent standard. The ground and first floors were split into four units for people who lived in the home. The top floor was used for kitchen laundry and staff areas. Each bed room was ensuite with a shower wet room and there were additional communal bathing facilities for people who lived at the home to use if they preferred a bath. On each unit there was a communal lounge, quiet lounge and dining area decorated to a high dementia friendly standard.
The home required a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. There was a registered manager in post from August 2013.
People who lived at the home were protected from the risk of potential abuse because staff had undertaken safeguarding training, to recognise and respond to potential signs of abuse. Staff had a good understanding of what safeguarding meant and how to report it.
People's medicines were handled safely and were given to them in accordance with their prescriptions. People's GPs and other healthcare professionals were contacted for advice about peoples health needs whenever necessary.
We found that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) 2009 legislation had been adhered to in the home. The provider told us that some people at the home lacked capacity and that a number of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard (DoLS) applications had been submitted to the Local Authority in relation to people’s care. We found that in applying for these safeguards, peoples’ legal right to consent to and be involved in any decision making had been respected.
The provider offered a wide range of both group and individual activities that were meaningful to to the people who lived in the home and which had a positive impact on their lives. Visiting was unrestricted and people's relatives told us they felt included in the care of their family members. Staff had gone above and beyond the call of duty to fulfil some people's wishes and dreams. The vision and values of the staff team were imaginative and person-centred and made sure people were at the heart of the service. They looked at innovative ways of including people in planning their care, gaining their views and in choosing activities.
Staff enjoyed working at the service and felt well supported in their roles. They had access to a wide range of training which equipped them to deliver their roles effectively. The registered manager was an excellent role model and there were robust systems in place to develop staff and promote reflective practice. Staff were proud to work at Birkenhead Court and felt valued and empowered to deliver high quality care.
People benefitted from living in a well organised, forward thinking home where their needs were always put first. The culture of the home was open and people felt confident to express their views and opinions.
The registered manager provided clear leadership and direction to staff and was committed and passionate about the quality of care provided. The skills of the registered manager had been recognised when staff nominated them for 'Manager of the Year' were they became a finalist. They also actively sought out and developed partnerships with community groups that can benefit the people who live at the home. Learning was shared from within and outside the organisation and community contacts were well established.
End of life care was exceptional with the service consistently going the extra mile to meet people's final wishes and ensuring their final days were lived comfortably surrounded by the people who knew and cared for them.
The provider regularly checked the quality of care at the home through visits and audits. These showed the home was performing well in all aspect of care. People’s care records were maintained to a good standard and staff had access to policies and procedures to guide their practice.