Berkeley Court

Updated 3 August 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 one inspector 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

Berkeley 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. Berkeley 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 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 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. 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

On 12 July 2022 an inspector visited the care home to observe care, speak with staff and people and check records. On 15 July 2022 an Expert by Experience made phone calls to relatives of people. Between 12 July 2022 and 18 July 2022, we reviewed some management records remotely. In total, we spoke with five people who used the service and six relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven staff including the district manager, director of care quality, registered manager, team leaders, and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included elements of five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at various recruitment files. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 3 August 2022

About the service

Berkeley Court is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 78 people. Some people using the service were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 56 people using the service. Care is provided across six units, within one purpose-built building. At the time of our inspection, five units were in operation and one unit was undergoing a refurbishment.

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

The provider had a process in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and knew how to act on concerns. Risks associated with people's care had been identified and assessments were in place to minimise risks occurring. The provider had a recruitment system in place to ensure appropriate staff were employed.

The registered manager could evidence that maintenance checks had been carried out to ensure the building was meeting health and safety requirements. Accidents and incidents were analysed to ensure trends and patterns were identified to minimise future incidents. Systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

People's needs were assessed, and care and treatment delivered in line with them. Although staff felt supported and told us they received training which gave them the knowledge to carry out their role, a small proportion of training required updating. We have recommended the provider takes action to ensure staff training is updated. People were assisted to eat and drink and were offered choice in line with their needs and preferences.

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 spent time observing staff interacting with people who used the service. Staff were considerate, caring and thoughtful. We saw staff respected people's privacy and dignity by closing doors and curtains where appropriate.

People received person centred care which met their needs and took into consideration their preferences. People and relatives, we spoke with felt involved in their or their family member’s care.

The provider had a complaints procedure and kept a log of concerns received. Concerns were used to improve the service.

The provider had a quality assurance system in place and ensured audits were carried out frequently to identify any issues. Action plans were used to ensure issues were quickly resolved.

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 the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, (published on 29 April 2021).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Follow up

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