Copper Beeches

Updated 5 April 2022

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Copper Beeches is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Copper Beeches is a care home with nursing care. 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.

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

During the inspection

We observed the support given to people, spoke to two relatives and five members of staff. This included the registered manager, a nurse, an assistant practitioner and a care assistant. We reviewed a range of records including two people’s care plans, medicine records, risk assessments, incident reports, recruitment files and health and safety checks.

After the inspection

We reviewed further records including staff rotas and the homes Infection Prevention Control (IPC) policy and procedure.

Updated 5 April 2022

Copper Beeches is a nursing home, providing accommodation, nursing and personal care for up to 36 people in one adapted building. The service provides support to older people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 31 people using the service.

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

Relatives were happy with the care and support provided to their loved ones. One relative told us, “I would know if mum wasn’t happy and she’s happy here, there have been other homes and mum wasn’t so happy there. Without hesitation I would recommend this place to others”.

The management had a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The registered and deputy manager conducted audits to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.

Risks to people were mitigated. Risk assessments were completed and contained all the information needed to ensure risks were kept to a minimum and detailed action/s staff needed to take, if risk did occur. These were regularly reviewed.

Medicines were safely managed and administered. Medicines were stored correctly and safely. Medicine administration records were correct, staff were trained, and their competencies checked, and audits took place to highlight any errors.

Staff were recruited safely. Recruitment checks had been carried out to ensure that staff were of good character and have the skills and experience necessary to provide care.

People were safeguarded from abuse. Staff understood how to recognise signs of abuse and actions needed if abuse was suspected. Staff had received safeguarding training and were confident to raise concerns with management. There were enough staff to provide safe care.

The registered manager and staff knew people well and were observed interacting with people in a supportive manner. Staff quickly identified when people's needs changed. People who were unwell or needed extra support, were referred to health care professionals and other external agencies appropriately.

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’s care plans were up-to date and accessible. This enabled staff to safely support people and understand how people wished to be supported.

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.

Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures were being followed. The premises looked clean and we were assured that the service had controls in place to minimise the risks posed by COVID-19.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 08 January 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

We undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of Safe and Well-Led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has remained Good based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Copper Beeches on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.