Bethune Court

Updated 3 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 team consisted of 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

Bethune 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. Bethune 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 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 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 4 people and 5 relatives by telephone to gain their views on the care provided. We spent time in the home whilst people were relaxing in the communal lounge, dining area and receiving support from staff. This gave us an opportunity to observe staff interactions with people. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, 2 team leaders, and 4 care assistants. We reviewed records that included care plans, risk assessments and medicine administration records. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, quality assurance systems and staff records and rotas.

Updated 3 February 2023

About the service

Bethune Court is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 45 people. The service provides support to older people and some people with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 40 people using the service. The home is a purpose-built care environment over four floors. All areas of the home were accessible by wide corridors with hand-rails and two lifts.

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

People were supported by staff who knew them well and understood their needs. Risks to people were identified and managed and staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people. One person told us, “The place is very well run. The staff are marvellous. They are all professional people, they know what they are doing.”

There were enough suitable staff to care for people’s needs. People and their relatives spoke highly of the staff. Their comments included, “I have no concerns regarding to the care they give.” “Staff are very attentive with those who have dementia, they seem to sit and talk with them.” “I cannot praise them highly enough.”

There were safe systems for administering medicines, and people told us they received the help they needed to manage their health conditions.

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 told us they were supported to make choices and to remain as independent as possible. One relative said, “The staff support people to make choices, and they ask instead of telling people what to do.”

Management systems were robust, supported learning and drove improvements. The registered manager demonstrated clear oversight of the service and was knowledgeable about quality issues and priorities for the service.

Staff described having the training and support they needed. They spoke highly of care provided at the home and of the registered manager. One staff member said, “I enjoy it here, it’s really rewarding.” Another staff member told us, “I love it here, I’m really enjoying the practical part of the job and just seeing people smile.”

People, their relatives and staff were consistent in their positive view of the home and the management of the service. A relative told us, “I would recommend this home to others, I visit every day and the staff are polite and welcoming. I am impressed with the place.”

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 20 January 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.

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staffing and management of risks. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of Safe and Well Led. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe section of this full report.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has remained good based on the findings of this inspection. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Bethune Court on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

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