Archived: Brackenlea Care Home

We saw that staff had a good understanding of people's needs and we witnessed many positive interactions. Care was delivered in line with people's care plans and the service liaised appropriately with health and social care professionals where necessary. There were detailed monitoring systems in place which were completed regularly to ensure that the service continued to meet its aims and objectives.

People who lived at the service said that they were well looked after. Relatives all praised the quality of the service provided and the kindness of staff. Evidence was mixed about how much people felt involved in the planning of their care and support. Whilst records indicated that people's care was discussed and reviewed regularly with them and with their relatives, people told us that they were not always consulted.

Elements of the environment had been adapted to promote people's independence whilst keeping them safe. However other aspects of the home had not been considered in terms of the needs of people with dementia. We discussed these issues with staff at the time of our visit who agreed that further consideration would be given to them.

There were systems in place to gain consent to care from people and staff acted on them. Where people were judged not to have capacity, best interest decisions had been made on their behalf in consultation with family and relevant professionals. The service did not have a system in place to review consent decisions but this was being put into place at the time of our visit.

People's needs were assessed and care was delivered in line with their care plan. The service had policies and procedures in place to control the risk of spread of infection. These were understood and followed by staff.

There were thorough recruitment procedures in place. This helped to ensure that people's health and welfare needs were met by staff who were fit to do their job.

There was an effective complaints system. People who were able to tell us, said that they were sure that their comments and complaints would be listened to and acted on effectively.