Background to this inspection
Updated
21 October 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 team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
Baycroft Flitwick 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. The registered manager also provided management support to other homes in the organisation and shared her time during the week at these services. An interim deputy manager was in post who was providing the day to day management support at the service.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 21 September 2021 and ended on 04 October 2021. We visited the service on 21 September 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 four relatives over the telephone who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, interim deputy manager, a supporting manager from a sister home, registered nurse, care staff, staff from the activities team and staff from the catering team. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision.
After the inspection
We continued to review a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, training data and quality and assurance records. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
21 October 2021
About the service
Baycroft Flitiwick is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 17 people aged 65 and over who may be living with dementia, a physical disability or sensory impairment at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 75 people. The home is built over three floors with all bedrooms containing an ensuite wet room and sharing facilities including communal lounges, a fitness suite, a hairdressing salon, a children’s entertainment room, a cinema room, a bistro café , an overnight guest room and three outdoor garden areas.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Quality assurance systems were in place, however these required development to ensure they were robust in addressing failings within the service. The registered manager told us they were reviewing information recorded in the quality records to ensure this was robust and supported driving improvement
The environment was not suitable for people living with dementia. The registered manager told us this was being addressed and additional pictorial signage and decoration was being sourced to improve people's experience.
Relatives told us there was a high use of agency staff however they were aware that recruitment was taking place. One relative told us they felt the core staff team were knowledgeable and skilled to meet the needs of people. Staff completed an induction process which prepared them to complete their role.
Staff and relatives spoke positively about the interim deputy manager and provided feedback which included, “[Interim deputy manager’s name] is a hard worker and wants to help everybody. They are very approachable.”
Relatives found the environment to be clean and well maintained.
Staff were caring and passionate in their work. Feedback from relatives included, "All staff, not just the carers but receptionist, admin and catering team are all brilliant in encouraging people. They are a very caring and kind team who make time to listen to people."
Staff encouraged people to maintain their independence, hobbies and interests. Relative feedback included, “The staff are physically attentive and are aware of needs of people and are genuinely interested in providing good care.”
Relatives told us they found the food to be appetising. Feedback regarding the dining experience included, "The food is lovely and there is a lot of choice. Families are encouraged to sit and have a meal together if they choose at meal times."
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.
Relatives told us they had been supported to stay in touch during the COVID-19 pandemic through use of the telephone and video calls. Window visits had also been made available and a designated room had been identified for pre-booked visits to take place. The service had promptly acted when guidance changed and supported relatives to visit as an essential carer.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 22/08/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection as a newly registered 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.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.