Beeches Care Home

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We found that infection prevention and control standards were not always maintained. Some areas of the kitchen were unclean and there was undated food in the fridge. During our assessment of this key question, we found concerns around Infection Prevention and Control which resulted in a breach of Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can find more details of our concerns in the evidence category findings below. The manager took immediate action to rectify this. Evidence reviewed showed that people were safe and protected from avoidable harm. Risks to people using the service were considered and assessments were updated if there had been a change in their needs. Medicines were managed appropriately and there were suitable safeguards in place for people who received their medicines covertly. There was appropriate equipment available to meet people’s assessed needs.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

We did not look at Learning culture during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

Staff told us they had received training on Safeguarding and this was updated regularly. They knew how to escalate concerns if needed.

We observed people were free from restrictions. People were able to receive visitors at a time that suited them.

Policies and procedures in place supported staff to ensure people were protected from abuse. The Registered Manager had oversight of any safeguarding incidents which occurred. Mental capacity assessments were completed when required and if a person was deprived of their liberty we saw that safeguards had been applied for.

People told us they felt safe. A relative told us they felt their family members were safe. They said “[relative] is safe. I can talk to all of them (staff) there.”

Staff knew how to manage people's known risks. They said they had access to risk assessment information via an electronic care planning application and this information was sufficient to enable them to support people in a safe manner.

People were safe from known risks. People told us they could use their call bell and staff responded promptly A relative told us they were involved in the assessment of risks to their family member. They said “[relative] is at risk of falling out of bed. I had a conversation with them about what they were doing about it and they told me they had put the bed on the lowest setting on the floor and put a crash mat down”

We observed falls prevention equipment in place and being used appropriately. People were able to move freely around the home.

Processes supported the safe management of known risks. Risk assessments were up to date and regularly reviewed. For example moving and handling risk assessments were completed. There was an efffective monitoring system in place which gave the Registered Manager oversight of when people had been referred to other professionals in relation to their risks.

Staff told us that equipment was in good working order and was cleaned after every use. We spoke with domestic staff who told us that they were reviewing the cleaning products used in the home.

We observed the home was free from clutter including all fire escape routes. Equipment used for moving an handling were maintained and cleaned regularly. Window restrictors to ensure people's safety. Large pieces of furniture were secured to the wall where there was a risk to people.

The provider had systems and processes in place to ensure health and safety requirements were met. Audits were undertaken regularly and any action identified was completed in a timely manner.

People’s relatives told us the environment was clean and tidy and their family members had access to the equipment they needed. They said “It’s a clean, homely sort of place. They are gradually doing things like they’ve just done all the floors. It feels comfortable”.

We did not look at Safe and effective staffing during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

There were cleaning schedules and audits in place, however these were not effective and had not identified the concerns we found.

Staff told us they had training in Infection prevention and control which was updated regularly. They had access to sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment and knew when this should be used.

People told us their rooms were clean and they were satisfied with the level of cleanliness. A relative said "the place is clean and comfortable and safe”.

Whilst most of the home was clean, we found that the hob and tiles around the cooker were unclean with baked on grease and excessive fat deposits. Some food in the fridge was not date labelled in line with food hygiene standards.

Medicines were administered safely by staff who had the training and competency checks to do so. Staff completed Medication Administration Records (MAR) when they gave people their medicines. Staff told us "I always sit with residents and explain what the medicines are to gain their consent."

Systems and processes were in place to ensure the safe administration, ordering and safe storage of medicines. Medicine audits were in place to check for any gaps in Medication Administration Records (MAR). Authorisations were in place for covert medicines.

People received their medicines safely. Relatives told us “We have never had any problem with medication and they phone and inform me if there have been any changes”.