Berkeley Park

Updated 22 February 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Alexandra Court is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Alexandra Court is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the director, a quality assurance manager, the clinical lead, a nurse, the office administrator and 3 care staff. We spoke with 8 people and 5 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We looked at 5 staff personnel files in relation to recruitment and supervision. We looked at 6 people’s care files and associated care and medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, audits and governance records were reviewed.

Updated 22 February 2023

About the service

Alexandra Court is an intermediate care home providing a time limited period of assessment and rehabilitation for people who have had a hospital admission but are not ready to be discharged home safely. Some people were also referred to the home from the community. It is a purpose built building on 2 levels, with bedrooms, shared communal areas and bathrooms on both floors. The service can support up to 40 people and was providing care to 35 people at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We identified issues with the environment: Managers responded immediately and put in place an immediate action plan to address the issues we raised. Safeguarding concerns were managed appropriately, and staff knew how to recognise and report any issues. Staff felt well supported by managers.

Systems for managing medicines were safe and staff had completed appropriate training. Individual risks to people were assessed and monitored. Appropriate health and safety certificates were in place. Measures were in place to help ensure the safety of people using the service. Infection control and prevention measures were in place.

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. People told us staff were caring and kind.

Care plans included relevant health and personal information. Systems were in place to ensure audits were recording and addressing any shortfalls identified. Staff engaged well with people who used the service and their relatives. Staff worked alongside a number of other professionals and agencies.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 25 August 2021)

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to staff attitudes, staff not responding to nurse-call buzzers, and people’s hydration needs not being met. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of Safe and Well-led only. For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the Safe and Well-led sections of this full report.

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.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Alexandra Court on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.