Background to this inspection
Updated
29 July 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
Two inspectors, a medicine inspector, and an Expert By Experience carried out the inspection. 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
Bierley 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. Bierley Court is a care home without 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 not a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity started on 15 June 2023 and ended on 23 June 2023. We visited the service on 15 and 21 June 2023.
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 Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
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 spent time with people in the communal areas observing the care and support provided by staff. We spoke with 7 people who used the service and 3 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 14 staff including the nominated individual, manager, deputy manager, team leaders, care workers, cook, maintenance and housekeeper. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with 2 visiting healthcare professionals.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 8 people's care records and 6 people's medicine records. We looked at 3 staff recruitment files. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.
Updated
29 July 2023
About the service
Bierley Court is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 40 older people, some of who are living with dementia. Accommodation is provided over two floors in three separate units: Bronte on the ground floor and Hockney and Lowry upstairs. At the time of our inspection there were 28 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Significant improvements had been made since the last inspection. People felt safe in the service. Safeguarding events, accidents and incidents were reported, recorded and acted upon appropriately. Risks to people were assessed and managed well by staff. Medicines were managed safely, although some aspects of record keeping needed to improve.
There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe. Staff received the training and support they required to carry out their roles. Robust recruitment processes were in place.
Cleanliness of the environment had improved with a series of deep cleans and an efficient housekeeping team. Safe infection prevention and control procedures were followed. 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.
Some areas of the environment required redecoration and refurbishment. The provider had plans in place to address this in the near future.
People received the care and support they needed. There was ongoing work to improve care records. People and relatives were happy with the care provided and were involved in decisions about care. People and relatives praised the staff for their kindness and compassion. We saw staff treated people with respect and maintained their privacy and dignity. Activities had improved with external entertainers visiting as well as lots of event inhouse which people enjoyed. People had access to healthcare services. People enjoyed a choice of meals, snacks and drinks and mealtimes were relaxed and sociable.
There was no registered manager. The provider had recently brought in an external senior manager who was working alongside the management team providing additional support. Relatives and staff acknowledged the improvements made since the last inspection. Effective quality assurance systems had been implemented and issues were actioned and verified by the provider and senior management team. An action plan was in place to make sure improvements were embedded, sustained and developed further.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 26 January 2023). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
At our last inspection we recommended the provider reviewed their recruitment process. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on the recommendation and had made improvements.
This service has been in Special Measures since 26 January 2023. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.
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.
The overall rating for the service has changed from inadequate to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.
Follow up
We will meet with the provider following this report being published to discuss how they will make changes to ensure they improve their rating to at least good. We will work with the local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.