Blenheim Court Care Home

Updated 2 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 looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service had been identified for use by the Local Authority as a designated care setting in response to the Winter Plan for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

This inspection took place on 20 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 2 December 2020

About the service

Blenheim Court is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 32 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 38 people in one adapted building.

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

Risks to people were assessed and recorded, although these were not always cross-referenced with the recorded needs in people’s care plans staff were knowledgeable about these risks. Systems were in place to safeguard people from abuse and staff were knowledgeable about the signs of abuse. Staffing levels were monitored according to people’s needs and people and staff told us there was sufficient staff. Medicines were administered safely. The home was clean and generally odour-free. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored, processes were in place to learn from these to reduce or prevent recurrence. We have made a recommendation that people’s emergency evacuation plans are regularly reviewed.

People’s needs and choices were assessed in line with legislation and guidance. Staff were deployed according to their skills and experience. Staff received appropriate training, supervision and appraisals. People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet, and people were complimentary about the food. Staff worked with professionals to support people’s well-being and health. Decoration at the home had been considered to support people’s needs. Consent to care was sought and recorded. 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. We have made a recommendation that daily records accurately reflecting the care and support provided.

Observations showed people received kind and considerate care. Staff were attentive to people’s needs. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and promoted.

People received personalised care according to their wishes and preferences. Complaints and concerns were recorded, responded to and monitored. People were supported at their end of life.

The home’s values and vision were used to recruit new staff. There was an open and transparent culture. Systems were in place to ensure quality performance and risks were monitored; care plan audits were a work in progress. People, relatives and staff were involved in the running of the home. The home worked in partnership with community organisations.

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

Rating at last inspection (and update)

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 20 October 2018) and there was a breach of regulation relating to good governance of the service. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection 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.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. 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.