Brook House Care Home

Updated 24 August 2022

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.

Inspection team

The inspection was completed by one inspector and two Experts 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

Brook House Care Home 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. Brook House Care Home 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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 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 spoke with five people who used the service and 14 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten members of staff including the deputy manager, senior care workers, domestic and kitchen staff and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 24 August 2022

About the service

Brook House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 53 older people, some of whom live with a dementia. At the time of the visit there were 22 people using the service.

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

People were supported by staff who had been safely recruited and received sufficient training to meet their needs. Risk assessments were completed to ensure staff had all the information to support people safely.

People were protected from infections such as COVID-19. Cleaning schedules were in place and staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The provider followed government guidance on COVID-19 testing and visiting within the home.

People were supported to maintain good health. Medicines were appropriately managed, and staff supported people with healthcare appointments such as doctors and dentists. If a need was identified the registered manager made referrals to external health professionals.

People received person centred care. Care plans were reflective of people’s needs and detailed information to support staff to get to know people. People and relatives told us staff were kind and caring.

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 were supported to stay in contact with their friends and family. People were offered regular activities and staff supported them to access religious services and events to meet their cultural, spiritual and religious needs.

The provider had processes in place to allow people, relatives and staff to make complaints and suggestions to improve the service. The registered manager completed audits to ensure effective oversight of the service.

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 inspected but not rated (published 12 March 2021)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

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.