• Care Home
  • Care home

Archived: Brierfield Residential Home

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

58 High Road, Trimley St Mary, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 0SY (01394) 283422

Provided and run by:
J&S Healthcare Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

23 September 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

About the service

Brierfield Residential Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 26 people. The service provides support to older people in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people using the service, some people were living with dementia.

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

Risks were not always being identified and measures put in place to reduce these risks. This included the safety of the stairs in the building and routine checks on the water system to reduce the risks of legionella bacteria. This had not been identified in the provider’s own governance systems.

Risks in people’s daily lives were being assessed, however the risk assessments in their care plans did not always provide detailed guidance for staff in how the risks were mitigated. There were some inconsistencies in people’s care plans, we were assured this was being addressed by the registered manager.

Prior to our inspection, we had received concerns regarding the quality and safety of care provided in the service. The service was working on an action plan with support from the local authority to implement improvements. Although some improvements had been made, for example in the staffing levels, progress had not always been made in a timely way. We were also concerned that all of the shortfalls had not been independently identified by the provider and actions taken prior to them being pointed out.

Improvements were needed in the provision of training for staff, not all staff had received training in safeguarding and there was only one staff member who had received training in supporting people with behaviours others may find challenging.

Medicines were being monitored and checked. The management team had identified shortfalls in the recording of the administration of medicines, such as creams, and medicines to be administered where required. We were assured actions were being taken to improve this.

Improvements were needed in the general cleaning of the service, such as cobwebs in the communal lounge and a build-up of dust on the stairs. Staff wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks. However, where staff were wearing gloves and aprons to support people with their personal care needs, they were seen to be walking around the service in these prior to and following supporting people, which is not recommended infection control practice.

During our inspection we found that improvements were being made in areas such as how much people had to drink, how staff were deployed to reduce risks in the communal areas, governance systems and the overall monitoring of the service provision to people.

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. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguard referrals were made where required and people’s capacity was identified in their care records.

People using the service told us they were happy, and the staff treated them with kindness. During our visit several people went out for a meal in a local restaurant.

The management team were working to improve the service and had developed a shared a commitment to ensure people were receiving good and safe quality care moving forward.

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 this service was good (published 4 February 2020).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to governance, the safety of the service provision and care provided and staffing levels. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

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.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Brierfield Residential Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment and governance at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan from the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

21 January 2022

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Brierfield Residential Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 22 people at the time of the inspection, some people were living with dementia. The service can support up to 26 people in one adapted building.

We found the following examples of good practice.

People were being supported to receive visits from their relatives. Visits were being completed in line with current government guidance.

The service was visibly clean and ventilated.

Staff and people using the service received regular COVID-19 testing in line with current government guidelines.

Vaccination records were monitored and stored by the manager for people, staff and regular visitors. Where visiting professionals attended the service, their vaccination status was checked.

17 January 2020

During a routine inspection

About the service

Brierfield Residential Home is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 26 older people, in one adapted building. At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service, the majority were living with dementia.

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

Systems were in place to reduce the risks of people experiencing avoidable harm and abuse. Risks to people were assessed and systems were in place to reduce them. Medicines were managed safely, and people received their medicines when they needed them. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs and recruitment of staff was done safely.

The service was visibly clean, and systems reduced the risks of cross infection. The environment was suitable for the people who lived there.

Staff were trained to meet the needs of the people they supported. People’s needs relating to their health and diet were assessed and met. 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 received care and support from a kind and compassionate staff team. People’s rights to privacy, dignity and independence were promoted and respected.

People’s needs were assessed, planned for and met. People’s decisions and choices relating to their care preferences were valued and documented, including people’s end of life decisions. People had access to meaningful activities to reduce the risks of boredom and isolation.

There was a complaints procedure in place and people’s concerns and complaints were addressed and used to drive improvement. There were systems to monitor the service provided to people and address any identified shortfalls promptly to provide people with good quality care.

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 this service was good (published 10 August 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

19 July 2017

During a routine inspection

Brierfield Residential Home provides a residential care service for up to 26 older people. At the time of this unannounced inspection of 19 July 2017 there were 23 people living with dementia using the service.

Our last inspection of 9 February 2015 this service was rated as Good. During this inspection we found that the service had continued to maintain a Good service and was Outstanding in Responsive.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 extremely responsive to people's individual needs. People were provided with exceptionally personalised care and support which was planned to meet their individual needs. Care and support was planned proactively and in partnership with people.

The provision of activities was innovative and met people's needs and preferences. Activities and social inclusion were designed to enhance their wellbeing and enable them to live a full life as possible. People were encouraged to share their hopes and aspirations and the service used creative ways of meeting them to ensure they were valued.

People were actively encouraged to give their views about the service. A complaints procedure was in place. People's concerns and complaints were listened to, addressed in a timely manner and used to drive improvements in the service.

The service continued to provide a safe service to people. This included systems in place intended to minimise the risks to people, including from abuse and with their medicines. Staff were available when people needed assistance and the recruitment of staff was done safely.

People continued to be supported by staff who were trained and supported to meet their needs. 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. Systems were in place to assess and meet people’s dietary and health needs.

People who used the service continued to have good relationships with staff. People continued to be involved in making decisions about their care and support.

The service continued to have a quality assurance system and shortfalls were identified and addressed. As a result the quality of the service continued to improve.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

9 February 2015

During a routine inspection

Brierfield Residential Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 26 older people who require 24 hour support and care. Most people are living with dementia.

There were 26 people living in the service when we inspected on 9 February 2015. This was an unannounced inspection.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

There were procedures in place which safeguarded the people who used the service from the potential risk of abuse. Staff understood the various types of abuse and knew who to report any concerns to.

There were procedures and processes in place to ensure the safety of the people who used the service. These included checks on the environment and risk assessments which identified how the risks to people were minimised.

There were appropriate arrangements in place to ensure people’s medicines were obtained, stored and administered safely.

There were sufficient numbers of staff who were trained and supported to meet the needs of the people who used the service. Staff were available when people needed assistance, care and support.

People, or their representatives, were involved in making decisions about their care and support. People’s care plans had been tailored to the individual and contained information about how they communicated and their ability to make decisions. The service was up to date with recent changes to the law regarding the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and at the time of the inspection they were working with the local authority to make sure people’s legal rights were protected.

Staff had good relationships with people who used the service and were attentive to their needs. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity at all times and interacted with people in a caring, respectful and professional manner.

People were supported to see, when needed, health and social care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment.

People’s nutritional needs were being assessed and met. Where concerns were identified about a person’s food intake, or ability to swallow, appropriate referrals had been made for specialist advice and support.

A complaints procedure was in place. People’s concerns and complaints were listened to, addressed in a timely manner and used to improve the service.

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in providing safe and good quality care to the people who used the service. The service had a quality assurance system and shortfalls were addressed promptly. As a result the quality of the service continued to improve.

17 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who were using the service and with four visiting relatives. They all confirmed that they were pleased with the care and support that people received. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. However, we noted a few health and safety issues. We told the registered manager about these concerns and the provider assured us that these would be promptly addressed.

People were protected from the risks of inadequate nutrition and dehydration. Their dietary needs and preferences were catered for and they told us that they enjoyed the food. One person said, 'The food is good ' always nice and hot'. A visiting family member commented that people's food preferences were respected.

People's health, safety and welfare was protected when more than one provider was involved in their care and treatment, or when they moved between different services. This was because the provider worked in co-operation with others.

Effective recruitment and selection processes ensured that people were cared for by suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

27 October 2012

During a routine inspection

The people living in this service were living with dementia and were unable to tell us about the quality of care they received. To enable us to be able to access people's wellbeing we spent time sitting with them observing the care they received and the level of staff interaction with them.

During our inspection we observed that the staff were attentive to people's needs. Staff interacted with people using the service in a friendly, respectful and professional manner. We saw that staff sought their agreement before providing any support or assistance.

Most of the people we saw were relaxed, engaged with their surroundings and interacted well with each other. If people became distressed or worried, staff attended to them quickly and acted to distract them or to offer them comfort.

15 July 2011

During a routine inspection

We spent time observing and listening to the care people received to obtain an overview of the quality of care provided by staff, including how they interact, engage and communicate with people living in the home. Our observation of the daily life of people living in the home found that staff responded to people's needs in a timely and supportive manner. Staff were observed encouraging people to be active, however they could also sit quietly if they chose to do so. People were alert and positively engaged, either in discussion with other residents, visitors or with staff. We observed people sharing sweets, reading and watching TV and moving freely around their home. There was good banter between residents, visitors and staff creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere in the TV lounge.

People we spoke with told us that they are happy with the care they receive and that they are supported to maintain their independence wherever possible. People living in the home, visitors and staff informed us that there always appears to be enough staff. People also told us that there is a consistent staff team who are very kind and sensitive to their needs and respect their privacy and dignity. A person visiting their relative in the home told us one of the things that impressed the family about Brierfields is that the majority of the staff team have worked at the home for a long time.

We were told that the food provided in the home is of a good standard, comments included, 'We have a good choice of food' and 'There is an alternative choice if you do not like what is on the main menu' and 'The food is alright, we have adequate choice'. People we spoke with were complimentary about the refurbishment of the home, they told us that the home is always tidy and comfortable and clean.