Archived: Beechwood House

This inspection took place on 10 October 2016 and was unannounced.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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.

The service was following the guidance in people’s risk assessments and care plans and the risk of unsafe care was reduced. People’s records were up to date and indicated that care was being provided as detailed in people’s assessments. The records had been updated to reflect changes in people’s care needs. Medicines were managed safely. People were safeguarded from abuse because the provider had relevant guidance in place and staff were knowledgeable about the reporting procedure.

Consent to care and support had been sought and staff acted in accordance with people’s wishes. Legal requirements had been followed consistently where people were potentially being restricted. People told us they enjoyed their food and we saw meals were nutritious. People’s health needs were met. Referrals to external health professionals were made in a timely manner.

People and their relatives told us the care staff were caring and kind and that their privacy and dignity was maintained when personal care was provided. Relatives were involved in the planning of their care and support. There was a range of activities and events available to enable people to take part in hobbies and interests of their choice. There was a clear procedure for the management of complaints.

The leadership of the service was praised by external professionals and relatives and communication systems were effective. Systems to monitor the quality of the service Identified issues for improvement. These were resolved in a timely manner and the provider had obtained feedback about the quality of the service from people, their relatives and staff.

The accommodation was adapted to meet the needs of the people living there and risks within the home had been assessed. The home was clean and was personalised to the people who lived there.

We observed that before people received any care or treatment they had been asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. Where people did not have the capacity to consent, the provider acted in accordance with legal requirements.

We saw that support plans and risk assessments were informative and up to date. Staff were aware of their contents, which supported them to deliver appropriate and safe care. The provider had systems in place that ensured the safe receipt, storage, administration and recording of medicines. Accurate and appropriate care records were maintained and stored securely.

We saw that people's needs were assessed and that care plans were in place. Some risks that could affect people had been assessed and managed. The manager told us they were also currently compiling risk assessments about people's health needs.

We found that staff were recruited using appropriate procedures, and that they received training in the areas necessary to meet people's needs. Staff demonstrated awareness of how to make sure people were safe from abuse and knew how to report any concerns about abuse or neglect.

The home used effective systems to check the quality of their service, including recording any incidents, complaints or concerns. We found that people's views about the home were sought at residents' meetings, and quality surveys were also completed by other people, including staff and visitors to the home.