31 January 2023
During a routine inspection
Beechcare incorporating the Peter Gidney Neurological Centre is a care home providing accommodation with personal care and nursing for up to 66 people. The service provides support to older people with nursing needs, including people living with dementia and adults with a range or neurological conditions, such as acquired brain injuries. The service operates across two units each with its own communal areas, one of which is dedicated to people with neurological conditions. At the time of our inspection there were 61 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives told us they felt safe living in Beechcare incorporating the Peter Gidney Neurological Centre. One relative told us, “[Relative] is definitely safe because I raised a concern about door security, and it is now on a timer.” Another relative said, “I feel [relative] is safe, they have completed risk assessments around the care and the quality of care is good.”
People received safe care and treatment from staff who knew them well. One person said, “They know me as a person to care for me.” One relative said, “They know [relative’s] likes and dislikes.” Another relative told us, “They know what [relative] likes to do and what they like to watch on television.” People and their relatives spoke positively about the staff.
Medicines and infection control were both managed safely, and lessons were learned when things went wrong. There was a range of activities offered, including group and individual activities and people could choose whether to attend.
People were involved in decisions about their care and they received care which promoted their dignity and encouraged independence. Relatives told us they were involved in their relative’s care and were kept up to date with changes, either in the home or with their loved one’s condition. The service produced regular newsletters to share information.
Effective quality assurance processes were in place to monitor the service and regular audits were undertaken. Staff had received appropriate training. There was a new manager in post and staff told us they found them approachable and supportive with an open-door policy. People and relatives agreed and told us the new manager was making improvements.
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.
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
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 19 November 2021) and there was a breach of regulations. 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 inspection was prompted partly by a review of the information we held about this service, and to follow up on actions we told the provider to take at the last inspection.
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 overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.