Background to this inspection
Updated
30 July 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
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, an assistant inspector and a specialist nurse advisor.
Service and service type
Barkat House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
At the time of the inspection visit the manager had applied to register with the Care Quality Commission and became registered when the inspection was completed. 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.
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. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with nine people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the provider, registered manager, deputy, senior care workers, care workers and both cooks. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 10 people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
30 July 2021
About the service
Barkat House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to 27 people. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 23 people.
The care home accommodates people over two floors which are accessed by a lift in one adapted building. Barkat House provides care to older people, some of whom are living with dementia and mental health needs.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe and were supported by a group of staff who knew them well and had received training in how to support people safely. Staff had received training in how to recognise signs of abuse and where safeguarding concerns had been raised, they had been acted on appropriately. People were supported to receive their medicines as prescribed and robust medicines management systems were in place. Staff following the latest Government guidance with respect to infection control and were supplied with the appropriate PPE [Personal Protective Equipment]. Accidents and incidents were regularly reviewed and lessons learnt where appropriate.
People were supported by a group of staff who felt supported and well trained. Staff were provided with the opportunity to discuss their role or raise any concerns through regular supervision discussions, staff meetings and surveys. Systems were in place to ensure people’s needs were fully assessed and staff were provided with the information required to support people safely and effectively. People’s nutritional needs were assessed and their food choices and cultural needs catered for. Staff were aware of people’s health care needs and supported people to access a variety of health care services to help them maintain good health. The environment was currently being refurbished and people had been consulted regarding the redecoration of their home.
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 staff who knew them well and treated them with dignity and respect. People’s choices were respected and they were supported where possible, to be as independent as possible.
People and their loved ones were involved in the development of their care plans. People’s opinions had been sought regarding how they wished to spend their time and this information had been incorporated into their care plans. A variety of activities took place on a daily basis based on what people liked to do. People were encouraged and supported to take part if they wished to do so. Staff respected people’s wishes and offered them alternative activities that were of interest to them. People were complimentary of the service and had no complaints. They were confident that if they did raise a concern, they would be listened to and it would be dealt with appropriately.
The new registered manager and her deputy had a clear vision for the service and were supported by the provider and the staff team as a whole. A variety of audits had been introduced to ensure people’s care needs were being met and identify any areas for action. Staff felt listened to and supported. People had been involved in the development of their care records and spoken positively about the improvements in the service following the arrival of the new registered manager. People told us they felt well cared for and they and their loved ones were complimentary of the service and told us they would recommend it to others.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 8 December 2020) and there were continued multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
This service has been in Special Measures since 8 December 2020. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out to follow up action we told the provider to take at the last inspection. The inspection was also prompted in part due to concerns regarding diabetes management at the service. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
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.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe section of this full report.
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.