The Care Quality Commission
  • Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Beech House - South Molton

North Road, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3AZ (01769) 572124

Provided and run by:
Devon County Council

All Inspections

16 May 2013

During a routine inspection

During this inspection we spoke with 13 people living in the home, two visitors, eight staff, one healthcare professional and the manager. Some people were unable to comment directly on their care so we spent time with them to help us understand what life was like at the home. As part of this visit, we also collected information as part of a thematic review about the preparation and training of care workers.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a safe way, in particular with regard to medicines. People told us they 'Couldn't wish for anything better'. At mealtimes, people who needed constant support were receiving it.

We followed up on actions the provider had taken to improve staffing levels. The majority of people told us there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet their needs with comments like 'They respond fairly quickly to the bells'. A professional told us the team 'Make sure they have the right staff on duty when people need to transfer back from hospital' and 'always check about the person's needs before re-admitting them'. The atmosphere in the home was calm and people looked well cared for.

People made comments like 'This is a lovely place' and the staff were described as being 'Very special and lovely'. Visitors said 'They care for everybody very well'.

The provider was compliant with all outcomes we looked at.

3 July 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Dignity and Nutrition

On the day of our visit there were 34 people living at Beech House and we spoke with 12 people living at the home, five staff members and looked at five people's care files.

People told us what it was like to live at the home and described how they were treated by staff and their involvement in making choices about their care. They also told us about the quality and choice of food and drink available. This was because this inspection was part of a themed inspection programme to assess whether older people living in care homes are treated with dignity and respect and whether their nutritional needs are met.

The inspection team was led by a CQC inspector joined by an Expert by Experience; people who have experience of using services and who can provide that perspective.

Most of the people who used the service at Beech House were living with dementia and therefore some were not able to tell us about their experiences. To help us to understand their experiences we used our SOFI (Short Observational Framework for Inspection) tool. The SOFI tool allowed us to spend time watching what was going on in the service and helped us to record how people spent their time, the type of support they got and whether they had positive experiences.

People we spoke with told us that they were very happy with the care and support they received and the staff were polite and easy to communicate with. Comments included: 'They don't rush me. I need time, I'm very slow, but they always have time' and ''I don't like big dinners, I like prawns and scrambled eggs. They wrote a menu just for me!''

We saw that there was good range and choice of meals and snacks provided and that these were adapted to suit individual needs and preferences. We observed staff supported people in a kind and respectful way.

We found that there were not always sufficient staff available throughout the day and evening to ensure that peoples needs were being met in a timely way. We have asked the provider to address this.

11 February 2011

During a routine inspection

There were 32 people using services when we conducted an unannounced visit to Beech House. We had a conversation with 4 people about their stay at Beech House, 3 relatives and a professional. We also obtained information about people's experiences through observation.

People told us that they were very happy with their care and 'they explain things here and make you sure you know'. Care workers we were told have "no hesitation always willing to help" and are 'very patient' and 'reliable'.

Food, we were told is "very nice'. People made comments which tells us that individual preferences are met and the team are 'so quick and do whatever you ask for'.

We talked to people about the environment and they told us that they had their own room. People felt that Beech House was kept spotlessly clean and said that the team is 'very fussy here' and the cleaner is "comes every day' and is respectful.

In terms of support and family involvement people told us that care workers 'keep reassuring you...say don't worry that's what we're here for' and 'they do things they don't even need to'.

Three relatives told us that they find Beech House and very satisfied with the care and support both their relations and they receive. They told us told us that the care workers 'really try to get to know' their relation and are "very patient". Relatives also told us that their relations experience "very good joined up care here' and "everything is take your time - very respectful".

Some people use Beech House as a support resource whilst continuing to live at home and a professional told us that the team of care workers are 'very flexible' and there is "good coordination in terms of helping people stay the short periods to get back on their feet to helping them decide when it's right to stay permanently".