About the service Birchwood Residential Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 43 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection.
Birchwood Residential Care Home is purpose built to accommodate 44 people. The service is on two levels with five separate units. Each unit has separate adapted facilities. There are dining and common areas on each unit and adapted bathrooms.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and staff did not always feel there were enough staff available and we observed incidents where staffing levels could impact on people’s safety. Systems in place to monitor the quality of the service were not always effective and had not identified this shortcoming we found during the inspection.
People told us they felt safe. Systems were in place to protect people from abuse and the service had notified local safeguarding teams in a timely manner.
People told us they were happy with the care and support provided. When asked about the service one person said, “It’s relaxing and the staff are kind to you.”
Risk assessments were completed to identify and manage risks to keep people safe. Staff were trained to support people to take their medicines and measures were in place to protect people from the spread of infection.
Pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure staff were suitable to support people. There were procedures for responding to accidents and incidents.
The service carried out assessments of people’s needs prior to admission to the service to ensure they could meet their 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.
People were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs. Staff had completed required training to perform their roles effectively and felt supported in their role. The service worked with other agencies to promote people’s health, safety and well-being.
People were included in decisions about their care, including their wishes and preferences at the end of their life. People received care and support from staff who were caring and compassionate. One person told us, “They [staff] are looking after me very well.”
Staff treated people in a respectful manner maintaining their dignity and encouraging independence. Systems were in place to protect people’s right to confidentiality. The service was respectful of people’s equality diversity.
Care plans were person centred and included the individual needs of people. Care plans were reviewed monthly to reflect people’s changing needs. Complaints procedures were in place and people told us they knew how to make a complaint.
People and staff told us they found the registered manager approachable and supportive. Staff were positive about the culture of the service.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 13 March 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well led sections of this full report. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report. The provider has taken action to mitigate the risks.
Enforcement
We have identified breaches in relation to staffing and leadership of the service at this inspection.
Follow up
We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk