Beechwood Nursing Home

Updated 5 October 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check on specific concerns in relation to the provider’s systems to safeguard people from abuse, including safe recruitment. How risks to people were managed and the management oversight of the home.

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 one inspector.

Service and service type

Beechwood Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. There was also a manager in post who had daily oversight of the service and they were applying to be the registered manager.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. We visited the service on the first day of the inspection and had a videocall with the manager and registered manager on the second day.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection-

We spoke with three people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the manager, registered manager, clinical lead, nurse, care workers and kitchen staff. We also spoke with a visiting professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, including daily records (for example about people’s diet or when medicine creams were applied). We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and induction. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and improvement plans were reviewed.

After the inspection –

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at infection control audits and policies and procedures.

Updated 5 October 2021

About the service

Beechwood Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 15 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 32 people.

The care home is in one adapted building with accommodation over three floors.

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

Since our last inspection the management team included a new deputy manager who was also a nurse. They supported a new manager at the service to maintain oversight of the nursing care. The provider visited regularly to maintain oversight and offer support to the management team. Quality assurance processes had been improved and audits identified where improvements were needed. Action plans were in place which supported staff to address issues and drive improvements. Training had been increased and the service was working in partnership with external health professionals to improve people’s experience and the quality of care.

Risks to people's health and wellbeing were documented. Staff followed detailed guidance in people’s care records to minimise these risks. Staff had completed training and knew how to identify symptoms and what actions to take. For example, if someone with diabetes had a hyperglycaemic attack. This is a medical term for high blood sugar levels, which can occur when people have a diagnosis of diabetes.

Staff ensured people's medicines were administered safely, monitored and disposed of appropriately. Infection prevention and control measures had been improved and effective arrangements were now in place. People told us they felt safe and that staff worked well together to support them. Dependency tools had been improved to ensure staffing levels could meet the needs of people living at the service.

Staff knew people’s needs well and how best to support them. Care plans were detailed and included people’s preferences and how to promote their independence. Staff respected people’s dignity and considered their privacy. This included when supporting them with personal care or to eat and drink during mealtimes.

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.

Care records accurately reflected people’s needs and were regularly reviewed to guide staff when those needs changed. Records were in place detailing those involved in making decisions relating to people’s care and support needs. People were supported to access activities in line with their hobbies and interests. They had a range of activities available to them and one to one social time in their bedrooms. Staff helped people to access the wider community when they expressed a wish to do so.

The leadership and governance structures in place provided additional support to the manager. Positive feedback was received from people and their relatives about the visibility and approachability of the management team. Staff felt the manager was extremely supportive and the clinical governance advice and guidance had improved.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 23 July 2019) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. These related to person-centred care, consent, dignity and respect, safe care and treatment, staffing and governance. We spoke with the provider following our last inspection and they provided regular actions plans, 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.

This service has been in Special Measures since 19 July 2019. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements had been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

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.