Belle Vue Nursing Home

Updated 3 March 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 1 February 2022 and was unannounced.

Updated 3 March 2022

This inspection took place on 30 July 2018 and was unannounced. A second day of inspection took place on 31 July 2018 which was announced.

Belle Vue Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Belle Vue Nursing Home can accommodate 49 people in one adapted building across three floors. At the time of the inspection 39 people were resident, some of whom were living with a dementia.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions of safe, effective, responsive and well-led to at least good. During this inspection we found improvements had been made.

The service had a registered manager who had been registered with the Commission since August 2013. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

It was evident that lessons had been learnt since the last inspection. Audits used as part of the quality assurance process had been reviewed to ensure they were robust enough to identify any necessary improvements.

Care records had been audited and re-written to ensure they reflected people’s current needs. Plans were being developed for nurses to implement a peer reviewing system so they audited care records written by another nurse.

Improvements had been made to the management and investigation of any accidents and incidents. Safeguarding procedures were robust, well documented and investigated. Processes were used to identify any triggers and review for any learning. Improvements had been made to the admission procedure following a lessons learnt exercise.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice, however, we have made a recommendation about mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions. Specifically, in relation to locking people’s bedroom doors.

Appropriate safety checks of premises and equipment was in place. The provider was reviewing fire safety procedures, and work was underway to ensure compliance following a recent inspection by the fire service. All staff had been involved in fire drills and personal emergency evacuation plans were in place.

Staffing levels were sufficient to ensure people’s needs were met. Staff told us they worked well together to ensure everyone’s needs were met. Safe recruitment practises were followed.

Training was provided for staff which care staff were positive about. Nurses commented that they felt well trained however competency assessments were not always completed. It was explained that due to people’s needs nurses were not using these skills however, should this change competency assessments would be organised. Everyone told us they felt well supported.

Medicines were managed safely and the registered manager had reviewed the medicine administration round to ensure everyone received their medicines in a timely and safe manner.

People were supported with their nutrition and hydration needs and given a recent heat wave hydration levels were being carefully managed. The home was involved in a study project with a local University in relation to assessing the impact of good hydration on the health and wellbeing of people living with a dementia.

If people’s needs were such that specialist intervention was needed people were referred to healthcare professionals. For example, physiotherapists, speech and language therapy, dentists, options and specialist consultants.

A range of activities were provided and the activities coordinators worked to provide physical and mental stimulation for people. The sensory area had been moved into an empty bedroom which provided increased privacy for people.

Everyone we spoke with was complimentary of the care provided at the home. Care staff were respectful of people and treated people with dignity. We observed kind and compassionate relationships with people. One staff member was nominated for an unsung hero award at the providers forthcoming Gala event following observations of their compassionate approach.

Relatives told us they had no complaints but were aware of how to complain if they needed to. Lots of compliments had been received in relation to the care provided, particularly so in relation to end of life care.