This inspection took place on 10 and 11 May 2017 and was an unannounced inspection. On 10 May 2017 we conducted an unannounced evening inspection to see how care was provided to people at night. We then returned for a full day on 11 May 2017 to complete the inspection. Perry Locks Care home was registered under the provider name of BUPA Care Homes (CFH Care Limited) up until February 2017. We were notified in December 2016 that the provider intended to simplify its structure and applied for all of its registered locations across the UK, (which at that time were registered across 13 different legal entities) to transfer over to just two legal entities. This meant that Perry Locks Care Home became newly registered under the provider name Bupa Care Homes Limited in February 2017. Therefore, this was the provider’s first inspection at this location since newly registering with us in February 2017. The inspection history for the location under the previous provider was used to inform the planning of this inspection because there had been no other changes at the location; the registered manager and the running of the service had remained consistent.
Our last comprehensive inspection of this location took place in June 2016, when the service was rated as “requires improvement”. As a result of matters found on that occasion, a further inspection was undertaken in January 2017. The reports from both inspections are available in the full history of inspection reports, which can be found in the previous provider’s archived records for this location on our website at www.cqc.org.uk
Some matters outstanding from these two inspections required our further attention during our inspection of 10 and 11 May 2017, and an action plan submitted by the previous provider detailing the way it would improve the care delivered and ensure compliance with relevant legal requirements was used to inform our inspection.
Perry Locks care home provides accommodation for up to 128 people who require nursing and personal care for their physical and/or dementia care needs. The home is purpose built and is separated in to four buildings. Perry Well House is for people living with dementia whilst Lawrence House, Calthorpe House and Brooklyn House provide nursing care for people with general nursing care needs. The location also provides accommodation and nursing care to people on a temporary basis whilst their on-going nursing care needs are being assessed. These are known as Enhanced Assessment Beds (EAB); most of these were situated in Brooklyn House. At the time of our inspection, there were 122 people living at the home.
There was a registered manager in post. 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.
Staffing levels had improved to a safe level and on the whole, people received the care and support they required in a much timelier way. Medicine management systems and processes within the home had also improved and people received their medicines as prescribed. However, some of the record keeping practices with regards to medicine and risk management meant that people were potentially at risk of not receiving consistently safe care in accordance with their health and care needs.
The provider had not ensured that all staff had received training updates in accordance with their policy and procedures. However, people we spoke with were confident that most of the staff had the knowledge and the skills they required to care for people safely and effectively.
The provider had quality assurance systems and processes in place which supported them to maintain the safety and efficiency of the service. However, some of these systems and processes had not always identified the shortfalls that we found during our inspection and further improvements were required.
People were cared for with their consent, where possible, and the provider had followed the proper processes to ensure care was provided to people lawfully. However, people did not always feel involved in the planning or review of their care.
People were supported to have enough food and drinks and were complimentary of the quality and variety of their meal choices. They had access to health and social care professionals in order to ensure their health and well-being was maintained.
People were supported by staff who were kind, compassionate and caring and who protected their privacy and dignity. People were treated as individuals and their personal preferences and diverse care needs were respected.
People were supported to maintain social contact and relationships with people who were important to them and visitors were welcomed at any time. The provider employed activity coordinators who organised and facilitated a range of activities and encouraged people to participate in activities that they enjoyed.
The provider had a compliments and complaints policy in place and most of the people we spoke with were confident that any concerns they raised would be dealt with professionally and efficiently. Staff reported to feel supported in their work and we found the management team to be approachable, open and honest throughout our inspection process.