Belle Vue Care Home

Updated 24 August 2023

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 conducted by 1 inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Belle Vue 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. Belle Vue is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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 and professionals who work with the service. 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 met with people who lived at the home. We spoke with 5 people who could tell us about their experience and views about the home. Some people were unable to fully express their views to us as they were living with dementia. We therefore spent time observing care in the main communal area and the interactions between people and staff. We spoke with 4 people’s relatives.

We spoke with 3 members of staff. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and the regional manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 4 people's care records and a sample of medication records. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including maintenance records, staff recruitment, incident records, quality assurance processes and various policies and procedures.

Following our site visit we received feedback from 13 members of staff, 10 people’s relatives and 3 health professionals.

Updated 24 August 2023

About the service

Belle Vue Care Home (Belle Vue hereafter) is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 52 people. The service provides support to people with a range of needs, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 49 people using the service. Belle Vue is situated in a residential area not far from Paignton sea front. Accommodation is situated over two floors of the building, with the top floor providing accommodation designed for people living with dementia. People had access to a variety of communal spaces including a safe outdoor space.

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

Risks were assessed and regularly reviewed, and people’s care plans contained detailed and personalised information to support staff to manage people’s risks safely. People at risk of pressure damage were monitored closely. People’s relatives told us risks were well managed and they were routinely updated with any changes. Routine maintenance checks ensured the environment and equipment were safely maintained. People received their medicines safely. Systems were in place to record, monitor and review accidents and incidents and managers and senior staff routinely discussed areas of risk; action was taken to mitigate risks escalating.

People’s relatives told us they felt confident their relative was safe at Belle Vue. One relative said, “I am completely confident they are being truly looked after.” Staff knew how to recognise signs of abuse or neglect, understood how to report them, and had completed safeguarding training. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and recruitment processes ensured staff were recruited safely.

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.

People’s care plans contained detailed and person-centred information. This meant staff had all the information they needed to support people in accordance with both their health needs and their personal preferences. One person told us, “It’s paradise. I have bacon and eggs every day.” A relative told us, “Their care plan is personalised, and they know their needs.” And a staff member said, “We take a very person centred approach at Belle Vue.” People were supported to remain active and maintain important relationships. People’s relatives told us activity provision was good. One relative said, “There are very good activity staff, they do a lot of activities, it is a very good programme.” Another relative told us, “There are activities and stimulation, [relative] is involved, it has kept them going to be honest, it has enriched their quality of life.”

People’s relatives told us they were comfortable raising concerns. One relative said, “We had an issue with their clothes one day, it was dealt with straight away.” Another relative told us, “They responded well. I’ve mentioned things a few times and they responded really well and apologised.”

Systems were in place to monitor quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements. Governance systems included monthly governance reports which identified when internal auditing had identified areas for improvement. The regional manager monitored governance, made independent checks and conducted routine support visits. The registered manager felt well supported. Staff gave positive feedback about managers. One staff member said, “I have worked in care for 11 years and I have never come across a manager as kind-hearted and hardworking. They’re simply amazing.”

The culture of the home was person-centred, and people were supported to achieve good outcomes. People told us they felt well supported by staff and managers. One person said, “I can’t praise the place enough.” Another person told us, “The management are second to none, if I’m not happy about something here, I can go and say something, I’m not scared to say.” People’s relatives felt people were experiencing positive outcomes and told us they were invited to be involved in their relatives’ care, where appropriate.

Staff told us there was an open, inclusive culture at Belle Vue. One staff member said, “Even in my first few conversations with managers I was made to feel welcome and like I could speak freely.” Another staff member said, “I love working here, the atmosphere is happy and it’s a great place to work.” A third staff member told us, “The culture is very transparent, and the aim is clear, we provide the best person centred care and we all work together as a family to ensure this.” Belle Vue supported continuous learning and sought opportunities to improve care and the outcomes people experienced.

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 (13 June 2019).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to pressure area care, weight loss and record keeping. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, responsive and well-led only. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns.

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.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Belle Vue Care Home 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.