Baxendale Care Home

Updated 20 May 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.

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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and two Experts by Experience who spoke with people at the service and with relatives by telephone for feedback. 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

Baxendale 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. Baxendale Care Home 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 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 and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

Due to technical problems, the provider was not able to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with 11 people who used the service and nine relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed activity sessions, mealtimes and interactions between people and staff. We spoke with 11 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, team leaders, care assistants and kitchen staff. We also spoke with two members from the board of trustees. In addition, we spoke with two healthcare professionals who were present at the home during our inspection visits.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, staff training, quality assurance, health and safety and meeting minutes, were reviewed.

Updated 20 May 2022

About the service

Baxendale Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to older people and people living with dementia. The service can accommodate up to 45 people and at the time of our inspection there were 29 people using the service.

The home spreads over three floors and has a separate wing, accessible through the main building, which specialises in providing care to people living with dementia. Residents have access to ample outdoor spaces including a patio area and a large garden.

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

People told us they felt safe at the home and with the care they received. People received their medicines as prescribed. Risks associated with people’s health and care were identified and assessed as and when needed, and staff were provided with clear guidance on how to minimise these risks. Management ensured appropriate checks were completed prior to staff starting work. The home had adopted strict infection prevention and control measures to keep people safe.

Whilst the service obtained people’s consent before providing care and treatment, this was not always clearly documented. We made a recommendation around the need for consent.

People received a comprehensive pre-assessment before their admission into the home which ensured they received the right care and support. Staff were supported through robust induction processes, supervision and regular training. People were provided with healthy meal choices and stayed hydrated. Staff supported people to maintain good health and access a range of healthcare services when needed. 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 and relatives told us they felt staff were kind, caring and supportive. Staff involved people in making decisions about their own care. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible. People and staff engaged with one another with respect.

People received care that was tailored to their individual needs and staff knew them well. Care plans documented how people wanted to receive their care. People were supported with different choices of activities which they enjoyed. The service managed complaints effectively and relatives told us they felt confident in raising any concerns but were pleased with the care their loved ones received.

There was an open and inclusive culture at the service. People, relatives and staff spoke positively of the management and the support they received. Systems were in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided. The service sought feedback from people, relatives, staff and professionals which they used to drive improvements. The team worked in partnership with healthcare services and other professionals to improve and maintain people's quality of life. Staff told us they felt they worked as a team and were happy to work there.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

Since CQC’s last inspection in 2019, the provider changed from being an unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which did not affect the day-to-day management of the service. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 26 April 2019) and there were breaches of regulations. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

At our last inspection we recommended that the service sought guidance on the provision of suitable activities for people living with dementia and responding to people’s needs in a person-centred way. At this inspection we found improvements in these areas.

Why we inspected

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

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Baxendale Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.