Brookside Care Home

Updated 31 March 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 included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Brookside Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Brookside Care Home is a care home without nursing care. The Care Quality Commission (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 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 sought feedback from commissioners and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service, the registered manager, one head of care, the nominated individual (the nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider). We spoke with two members of the care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included the care records of three people using the service. We looked at a variety of records relating to the overall management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We reviewed records in relation to staff training and feedback received from people using the service and staff.

Updated 31 March 2022

About the service

Brookside Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 18 people. The service provides support for older people including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people using the service.

Brookside Care Home is a small family run care home.

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

Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks were assessed and preventative action was taken to reduce any risks of harm.

Staff were recruited in a safe way. Sufficient numbers of staff with the right skills were deployed to meet people's needs.

Systems were in place to ensure medicines were received, store and administered in a safe way. Staff received appropriate training to ensure they had the skills to meet people's needs. Staff knew and understood people’s support needs well.

Infection control systems were followed. People were protected against the risks of transmission of COVID-19. A staff member commented, “We keep all our residents safe and protected at such a difficult time. There are posters around the home that catch my eye that are a reminder of following infection controls.”

People were provided with a choice of nutritious home cooked meals. Staff monitored the food and fluid intake of people at risk of malnutrition and / or dehydration and timely action was taken in response to any concerns identified.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control over 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 asked for their consent before care and support was provided and staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Systems to assess and record people’s capacity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment were in place.

People had access to healthcare services as and when required. People commented the staff were kind and caring and they had positive relationships with all the staff. Staff maintained people's privacy and dignity and encouraged people to be as independent as possible. Staff worked in a flexible way to meet people's support needs in a person-centred way.

People were involved in developing their care plans and were given choices. People knew how to make a complaint and felt confident any concerns or complaints would be listened to and appropriate action taken by the management.

People and staff all commented they had confidence in the registered manager and the management team. People and staff were asked for their feedback and this was acted on to continually improve the service provision.

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

This service was registered with us on 30 March 2020. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good published on 17 November 2017.

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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Follow up

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