Archived: Mental Health Care - Benfield Hall

As part of the inspection visit we had a tour around the building. We looked in bathrooms, toilets, sluice rooms, kitchen, lounges dining areas and bedrooms. We noted that all areas were clean and odour free. The designated cleaners were carrying out the expected duties during our observation. We noted the products used and were told there were safety data sheets in place to ensure staff knew how to manage all products safely.

We saw the cleaning schedule for the home, which included deep cleaning of rooms when required. This included tasks such as washing lounge chairs at and wiping personal possessions with antibacterial solutions. This included cleaning equipment such as wheelchairs and zimmer frames. We looked at people's personal equipment and noted items were clean.

In the bathrooms and toilets we saw antibacterial hand wash containers and paper towels for promoting good hand hygiene. In the laundry area there were explanatory notes on a wall poster telling staff how to manage dirty laundry and the procedure for proper hand washing. This room was clean and odour free.

The home used biodegradable bags for soiled clothing that were placed directly into the washing machine and this ensured cross contamination did not occur.

The deputy manager informed us that staff had all completed the infection control training. This was confirmed by the staff on duty.

Staff, regardless of the job they were employed to do, had knowledge and understanding of infection control procedures.

We saw the menus offered a choice and people had been consulted about them. One person said, “We get good Sunday lunches”, and another person said, “I get enough food.”

We found the plans to improve cleanliness and reduce infections had not being carried out and people continued to be cared for in an environment which was not clean and hygienic, and which placed them at risk of increased infection.

One person said, “This place is good, I am well fed and looked after”.

We found records to show how people's health and care needs had been pre-assessed and then fully assessment once the person was in residence with regular reviews taking place.

We found that there was nutritious food in adequate quantities provided, although people wanted improvements on choice. We also found that at meal times food was served before people were sat at the table, which meant in some cases people's meals were cold when they were ready to eat.

At the visit we found that cleanliness levels were not adequate. This meant that people were not cared for in a clean and hygienic environment.

We saw staff responding to people’s requests quickly. At the inspection there were adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and experienced staff to promptly respond to people’s requests for assistance.

People and visitors told us that they knew how to complain. One person said, “I have never complained before but would if I needed to”.