Background to this inspection
Updated
29 April 2021
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.
This inspection took place on 19 March 2021 and was announced.
Updated
29 April 2021
Brymore House is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Brymore House is registered to accommodate up to 52 people. The service has two units, one with 27 beds which provides nursing care to older people and the other with 25 beds which provides intermediate care and rehabilitation. There were 52 people living at the home when we visited.
This unannounced inspection took place on 21 December 2018. At our last inspection in June 2016 the service was rated ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. We found the service remained Good.
The service had a registered manager when we visited. 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.
There were management plans in place which provided guidance to staff to reduce risks to people. Staff were trained on safeguarding adults from abuse and knew the procedures to follow to report abuse and to protect people. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and recruitment checks were conducted before new staff were employed.
The health and safety of the environment was maintained. Staff were trained in infection control and followed procedures to reduce risks of infection. People’s medicines were managed in line with safe medicine administration and management guidelines. Records of incidents and accidents were maintained, and the registered manager reviewed them to ensure lessons were learned and to reduce the risk of repeat occurrence.
People’s needs were assessed, planned and delivered in a way that met their individual needs and requirements. People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their nutritional needs. Staff received training, support and supervision to provide effective care to people and to carry out their duties effectively. People had access to healthcare services they needed to maintain good health. The provider had arrangements and systems in place to ensure people received well-coordinated care and support.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People gave consent to the care and support they received. The service complied with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Relatives and healthcare professionals were involved in making decisions for people in their best interests where this was appropriate.
Staff understood people’s emotional needs and gave reassurance and comfort when needed. Staff provided people with reassurance and comfort when needed and treated them with respect and dignity. Staff supported people to maintain and gain independence with activities of daily living. Staff also communicated with people in a way they understood.
Staff were trained in end-of-life care. People’s end-of-life wishes were documented in their care plans, to ensure these were implemented appropriately. People were also encouraged to participate in activities they enjoyed. The service supported people’s needs with regards to their disabilities, culture and religion. Staff had received equality and diversity training.
The service obtained the views of people and their relatives and people told us they were listened to, and their views acted upon. People and their relatives knew how to raise concerns about the service and the registered manager addressed complaints received appropriately. The quality of the service was regularly assessed and monitored and actions put in place to address areas of concerns. The provider also worked in partnership with other organisations and services to develop and improve the service.