Brookfield House Care Home

Updated 15 February 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 carried out by 2 inspectors 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

Brookfield House 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. Brookfield House 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 in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority 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

During the inspection we spoke with 22 people who lived at the home and gathered their feedback. We also gathered feedback from the relatives of 4 people. We spoke with 12 staff members; this included the registered manager. We observed people in areas throughout the home and could see the interaction between people and staff. We watched how people were being cared for by staff in communal areas, this included the lunchtime meal.

We reviewed records at the home. These included recruitment and training records, accidents and incidents and quality assurance audits. We looked at numerous medicine administration charts and 5 care plans, along with other relevant documentation to support our findings.

Updated 15 February 2023

About the service

Brookfield House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 41 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 51 people.

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

People and their relatives were positive about the care and support provided at Brookfield House. People felt safe and appropriate systems were in place to protect people from avoidable harm and abuse. Staff took action to minimise risks and people were supported to have as much choice and control over their lives as possible. However, we noted on occasion that call bells were not in reach of people, the registered manager took action to address this.

There were enough staff to respond to people’s needs. Several new staff had been recruited which meant there was a permanent staff team, who had been safely recruited. Staff managed the safety of the environment and equipment through checks and actions to minimise risk. The provider was in the process of arranging refurbishment works including a new shower room, due to start within the next few weeks. The home was clean and infection prevention and control measures were in place.

Medicines were safely managed, and people were supported by staff who received appropriate training and supervision.

People's nutritional needs were met. However, we noted records in some cases had not been updated, this was addressed straight away. Staff were responsive to any changes in their health needs. 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. We noted that records could be more detailed in relation to some best interest decisions.

There was a homely and friendly atmosphere. Staff were caring, knew people well and had built effective relationships. People were treated as individuals and staff respected their preferred lifestyle choices. The management team promoted a culture which respected people’s privacy and dignity.

Staff had access to people’s electronic care plans, which contained person-centred information about their needs and overall were kept up to date. People were supported to take part in activities and were able to maintain relationships with those important to them. There was an activity coordinator, who was due to increase the time spent in that role to focus on activities. The service had received positive feedback about the support they had provided to people at the end of life.

People knew how to complain should they need to and felt managers would be responsive.

The service was well-led. Managers engaged well with people, visitors and staff. There was a focus on person-centred care and continuous improvements. The provider had effective governance systems in place to monitor the quality of the service. The service worked in partnership with others.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us 1 May 2020 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 14 March 2020.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.