Brookfield Care Home

Updated 23 June 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

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 completed by two 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 Care Home is a 'care home.' People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

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 and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff, and the registered manager. We reviewed two care plans, one staff file, daily care records, and records associated with the management of people’s medicines and the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager and the general manager.

Updated 23 June 2021

About the service

Brookfield Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 22 older people some who may be living with dementia at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 30 people.

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

Staff provided care and support to meet people’s individual needs as assessed. A range of quality assurance checks and audits were in place which were used to help maintain and improve standards and to keep everyone safe. We found these recent checks had helped to progress required improvements since our last inspection. The general manager continued to ensure the checks remained suitable and helped to ensure the required outcomes were achieved in a timely way.

People received their medicines as prescribed. Checks and audits had identified some short falls in medicine management and new processes were being embedded. This included specialist input to further improve this process.

We were assured that people were supported safely with good infection control practices followed. During the inspection we observed not all staff follow required guidance on the use of masks and this was immediately addressed by the registered manager. The home was clean and tidy and free from any lingering odours. Systems and processes were safely established to facilitate visits by loved ones. Relatives told us they were pleased with the support and communication they had received during the pandemic.

Systems and processes in place ensured people were safe from avoidable harm. Feedback and consultations were held to ensure people received support and care appropriate to their individual needs. Peoples cultural and diverse needs were identified and respected with support provided in a person-centred way.

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 requires improvement (published 13 January 2021) and there were two breaches of regulation. 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.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 10 November 2020. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve risk management and quality assurance checks and to prevent and control infection.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Safe and Well led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.