Background to this inspection
Updated
18 June 2022
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 two 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
Barnfield 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. [Care home name] is a care home [with/without] nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
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 used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.
We also reviewed all of the information we held internally about the service. This included any notifications of incidents or accidents as well as safeguarding concerns.
We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
On our inspection, we spoke with seven people and two relatives to obtain their feedback about the care being provided. We also spoke with 10 staff, which included the registered manager, deputy manager and three members of the provider’s senior management team.
We reviewed the information held in six people’s care plans, four recruitment files, medication records and other paperwork related to the running of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at staff training and supervision information, quality processes and audits, newsletters and minutes from meetings held with people, relatives and staff.
Updated
18 June 2022
About the service
Barnfield is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to up to a maximum of 63 people. The service provides support to people with varying health conditions or who are living with dementia. The service had people living in five separate living areas, each with their own dining and lounge space. At the time of our inspection there were 25 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they were cared for by a sufficient number of staff and our observations on the day confirmed this. Risks to people had been identified by staff and action taken to reduce the risk, either through staff knowledge and training, or through equipment.
People said staff treated them with kindness and respect and they were happy living at Barnfield. People said they were involved in decisions around their care and could choose how they spent their time. People were supported to remain as independent as possible.
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.
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.
People lived in an environment that was adapted to meet their needs and checked for its safety. People were provided with sufficient food and drink as well as the medicines they were prescribed.
People were cared for by staff who received appropriate training and staff who supported people to maintain a good standard of health.
People’s care plans contained sufficient information to support staff to provide person-centred, responsive care to people. Staff recognised people’s individual communication needs and provided relevant activities and outings for people to help ensure they did not become isolated.
The registered manager was hands on and visible during our visit and people, relatives and staff spoke highly of them. Management recognised the need to be open and transparent when things went wrong and they carried out regular checks on the care provider to help ensure it was of a good quality.
Staff felt involved in the service and were encouraged to express their views and external professionals were engaged when appropriate so people’s care was holistic and all-inclusive.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 3 April 2019 and this is the first inspection.
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was Good, published on 4 July 2017.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.