St Benets Court

Updated 1 November 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 one inspector, an assistant inspector and an Expert by Experience who spoke with people living at the home and their families. 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

St Benets Court 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. St Benets Court is a care home without 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 who was also the area manager. However, a new manager oversaw the day to day running of the home. Since the inspection, the area manager application to de-register has been approved by CQC, and the new manager is due to be registered with the Commission.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people living at the home and 7 relatives to gain their feedback on the service.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who may not be able comment directly on their care.

During the inspection, we also spoke with 7 staff. We also spoke with the new manager and the quality assurance director. We gave staff an opportunity to respond to us by e-mail, and we received 10 responses. We reviewed a range of records. This included care records and people’s medication records. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and reviewed training. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service including handover information, audits and safety checks.

The inspection concluded on 5 July 2023 when verbal feedback was provided to the new manager, area manager and quality assurance director.

Updated 1 November 2023

About the service

St Benets Court is a large detached residential home. The service can support up to 32 people. Accommodation is situated over three floors, and almost all bedrooms have en-suite facilities. People have access to communal space, including a garden.

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

The service provided safe care to people. People looked at ease and comfortable in the company of staff. For example, they said, “I like it here, everyone is kind and nice to me” and “Oh yes, I love it here, it’s the best place I’ve been.” Relatives said they would recommend the service to other families. For example, 2 relatives said, “It’s wonderful here, he’s getting good care” and “I’m happy with mum’s safety here, I’m very happy mum’s here.”

Staff told us how they took the complexity of the care needs of people already living at the home into account before deciding if they could meet the care needs of new people. People’s care needs were regularly reviewed and updated, when necessary, to ensure they reflected the person’s current needs. Where appropriate, care records identified risks in relation to falls, nutrition or pressure care.

The environment and equipment were well maintained to keep people and staff safe. Checks included fire equipment, hot water temperature checks and equipment was routinely serviced. Fire training included practical training and scenarios, which staff said made their responsibility to keep people safe more real. The home was clean, tidy and free from persistent odours. Visitors and people living at the home commented positively on the standard of cleanliness. Medicines were administered and managed safely.

Despite national staffing shortages, the management team had worked hard to ensure they recruited new staff. The staff team met people’s care needs. For example, people told us staff responded to call bells in a timely manner. People said, “They come quickly when I ring. It’s well run and efficient” and “There’s enough staff, sometimes the staff will sit and chat with me, I don’t notice any delays with staff when I ring my bell.”

Recruitment checks helped ensure staff were suitable to support people. Staff told us shifts were often busy but explained how teamwork enabled them to meet people’s needs. People and relatives commented on the calibre of the staff and the new manager, their friendliness and the welcoming atmosphere.

Staff provided personalised care because they knew people well. This was confirmed by feedback from people and relatives, as well as our observations of staff interactions with people.

At our last inspection we recommended the service considered how they can support people to make more meaningful choices at mealtimes. The provider had made improvements. The lunchtime experience was calm and relaxed. Thought had been given by the new manager and staff as to how people were supported to ensure people’s dignity and preference were respected. We saw how staff adapted their approach to each individual when supporting them with their lunch. Menus were clear and choices were available.

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 quality of life was enhanced by good quality assurance systems and the leadership of the new manager and their commitment to provide good quality care. Feedback from relatives showed the new manager was valued. For example, “[Name] is excellent, an extremely good manager. She’s fantastic… She’s an extremely responsive manager. She comes out and talks to me.” People living, visiting and working at the home said they had or would recommend the home to others.

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 5 November 2021).

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection in response to a concern we had received regarding staffing levels and whether staff had time to assist people with a bath or a shower. Based on this inspection, we found this concern was not substantiated.

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.

Follow up

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