Brookvale House

Updated 10 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.

This was a targeted inspection on specific risks we identified regarding the lack of a registered manager and how safeguarding alerts and complaints were addressed.

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 conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type

Brookvale House 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.

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 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 spent time in a communal area, observing how staff interacted with people living in the home. We spoke with the new manager and one staff member. We looked at records including safeguarding and complaints paperwork.

After the inspection

We spoke with two relatives and two staff on the telephone.

Updated 10 December 2020

Brookvale House is a care home registered for up to 35 people who may be living with dementia. Brookvale House 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. Both were looked at during this inspection. There were 25 people living there during our inspection. The home is over two floors. There are communal areas on the ground, including a music lounge, quiet sitting areas, a television lounge and dining area. The garden is landscaped and designed for the people using it.

We previously inspected in December 2016. During that inspection we found two breaches of regulations relating to consent and care plans not being updated.

The inspection took place on 3 and 4 April 2018. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and was unannounced. We found improvements had been made and there was no longer a breach of regulations.

There was a registered manager in place. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe at Brookvale House. The provider had policies and procedures designed to protect people from abuse. Risk assessments were in place to reduce risks to people’s health and safety. People’s needs were met by suitable numbers of staff who had been recruited appropriately. People were supported to take their medicines as prescribed. There was a cleaning programme in place to reduce the risk of infection.

People received an effective service. Mental capacity assessments and best interests decisions were completed where necessary. People were supported by staff who were trained appropriately for their role. People were supported to eat and drink enough and were offered choices. People were supported to access healthcare services and ongoing healthcare support when necessary. People benefitted from an environment which met their needs.

Staff developed caring relationships with people. Staff supported people whilst being mindful of their privacy and dignity. People were supported to express their views and be involved in making daily decisions about their care and support.

People received personalised care that was responsive to their needs. People enjoyed a range of activities which were tailored to their needs and choice. People and their relatives had access to the complaints procedure. End of life care, when needed, was kind, gentle and personal.

The service was well-led. The registered manager had a system of audit in place to monitor the quality of service provided. The provider and registered manager promoted a positive culture and staff spoke highly of the home and its management. There was a clear management structure in place which demonstrated good management and leadership. People’s views were sought and taken into account. The registered manager worked in partnership with other agencies and ensured that the service continued to learn and improve.