Background to this inspection
Updated
4 May 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 undertaken by an 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
Beaufort Care Home 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. Beaufort Care Home 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 CQC 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. The provider had appointed a new manager 6 weeks prior to the inspection and the application to become registered was in progress. We have referred to them as ‘the manager’ in this report.
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
We spoke with 7 people that used the service and 2 relatives. We spoke with 10 members of staff including the manager, nursing staff and care staff.
We looked at a range of documents including 3 care plans and risk assessments, and medicines records. We looked at health and safety documents and policies and procedures. We looked at audits, including medicine audits, staff rotas and 3 staff recruitment files.
Updated
4 May 2023
About the service
Beaufort Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 32 people. The service provides support to older people, people with a physical disability, people with sensory impairment and younger adults. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service.
The care home is set over 2 floors and has large communal areas for people to use. The care home has a good-sized garden which people can use and participate in gardening activities.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were kept safe by staff that had the right skills and experience. People were supported to take their medicines safely. Risks to people’s health and safety were regularly assessed and monitored. The home was clean and comfortable, and people were protected from the risk of mistakes being repeated.
People’s choices and preferences were taken account of. Staff received good inductions and were supported to keep their training up to date. People were supported to maintain healthy and nutritious diets. One person told us, “I choose to eat in my room. The food's good, I can’t fault it.” Staff made referrals to other agencies to support people’s health and wellbeing. 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 were supported by kind and caring staff who treated people with dignity and respect. One person said, “Staff are lovely, very caring.”
People’s communication needs were assessed and supported effectively. The provider recently employed an activities co-ordinator to support people to participate in activities and go into their local community. People and their relatives knew how to raise a complaint if needed and the manager actively responded to any concerns raised. People were cared for well when at the end of their lives.
There was a positive culture at the home, and people were cared for by staff that enjoyed their jobs. The manager was new in post and had made a positive contribution to the management of the home and engaged well with people and staff. Managers were clear about their roles and responsibilities and managed risk well. The manager had good links with other services and was committed to the continuous improvement of care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at the last inspection
This service was registered with us on 19 July 2021 and this is the first inspection.
The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 29 April 2020).
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.