Bryony Lodge

We found the following examples of good practice.

The home had a recent outbreak of COVID-19 and were not allowing visits to people living in the home, this was in accordance with latest best practice. However, prior to the outbreak people were supported to receive visits in a safe way.

Staff had received training on COVID-19, infection control and the use of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE), including the correct way to put on and take off PPE. Throughout our inspection staff were wearing the required levels of PPE and maintaining social distancing as much as possible.

New admissions to the service were supported in line with best practice guidance. Admissions were expected to provide recent COVID-19 test results, were further tested by the service following admission and isolated upon arrival to minimise risk of potential infection to the existing people in the service.

Regular testing was completed for staff and people living at the service. This meant prompt action could be taken should anyone test positive for COVID-19.

Cleaning schedules evidenced regular cleaning had been taking place within the service. This included frequently touched points being cleaned numerous times a day to further reduce the risk of contamination. The service was clean on the day of the visit.

Staff had worked hard to support people's wellbeing during the pandemic by providing in-house activities and also spent time with people to help ensure they did not feel isolated.

Bryony Lodge is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Bryony Lodge is a care home which provides accommodation for up to nine people who have a physical disability. At the time of our inspection, there were nine people living in the home.

There was a registered manager at the home. 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.

This was the first inspection of the service, which was registered with CQC under this provider in November 2017.

People felt safe living at Bryony Lodge. Staff knew how to keep people safe and how to identify, prevent and report abuse. They engaged appropriately with the local safeguarding authority.

Individual and environmental risks to people were managed effectively. Risk assessments identified risks to people and provided clear guidance to staff on how risks should be managed and mitigated.

There were appropriate arrangements in place for the safe handling, storage, administration and disposal of medicines.

Recruitment procedures were in place to ensure that suitable staff were employed by the service.

People received care and support from staff who were suitably qualified, skilled and knowledgeable to carry out their roles effectively.

New staff completed a comprehensive induction programme and all staff were suitably supported in their roles.

People praised the standard of care delivered and the quality of the meals. Dietary needs were met and people received appropriate support to eat and drink.

People were supported to access healthcare services when needed and to attend hospital appointments.

Staff interacted with people in a polite and positive way. They spoke about people warmly and demonstrated a detailed knowledge of them as individuals and what was important to them.

People were cared for with dignity and respect and were treated in a kind and caring way by staff. Staff know people well, encouraged people to remain as independent as possible.

Staff protected people's privacy and responded promptly when people's needs or preferences changed. They involved people in the care planning process and kept family members up to date with any changes to their relative's needs.

People received personalised care and support that met their needs. Care plans provided staff with detailed information about how they should support people in an individualised way.

People had the opportunity to access to a range of suitable activities within the service and in the local community. There was an appropriate complaints procedure in place and people knew how to make a complaint.

People, their relatives and visiting professionals felt the home was run well. The provider was actively involved in running the service and there was a clear management structure in place.

Staff were happy in their work and felt fully supported by the provider and the registered manager.

There was an open and transparent culture in the home. People’s relatives and friends could visit at any time and were made welcome.

There was an appropriate quality assurance system in place and where issues were identified, action had been taken promptly.