Archived: The Beeches

Throughout the report we have referred to the administration company, Careport Limited, as 'the administrator or an administrator.'

A single inspector carried out this inspection. The focus of the inspection was to answer the five key questions; is the service safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, relatives and staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at.

If you want to see the evidence that supports our summary please read the full report.

This is a summary of what we found:

Is the service safe?

People told us that they liked living at The Beeches Care Home. Improvements were needed to ensure that the environment was safe, clean and hygienic. Equipment used at the home had been serviced. People told us that they often had to wait for help because the staff were busy. We saw that call-bells rang for between seven and fifteen minutes before staff were free to answer them. Improvements were needed to ensure that there were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to meet the needs of the people living at the home.

Staff personnel records contained all of the information required by the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This meant that the staff members employed were suitable and had the qualifications, skills and experience needed to support people living at the service.

There was a process in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DoLS). Policies and procedures were held. There had been no reason to submit a DoLS application. Staff had been trained and knew when a DoLS application was needed. The provider and interim manager knew how to submit a DoLS application.

Is the service effective?

People's health and care needs were assessed with them or their family member. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans when required. Relatives told us their family member received the care and attention they required in a way that met their needs. Through our observations and speaking with staff we noted that the staff understood the care and support needs of each person. One person told us. 'This is a nice home and the staff will do anything to help you.' Staff had received training to meet the needs of people living at the home.

Is the service caring?

People were supported by staff who used a kind and attentive approach. We saw that the staff were patient and encouraged people to be as independent as possible. People told us that the staff were sometimes busy but did not rush them. Our observations confirmed this. A visitor told us. 'I am happy with the care given to my family member. The members of staff are polite and respectful.'

Is the service responsive?

Care and risk assessments had been completed but not all had been recently reviewed. The care and support provided was adjusted to meet the needs of each person. Improvements were needed to ensure that any change in care and support was recorded in the person's plans of care. A record was held of people's preferences, interests and diverse needs. Relatives told us that staff members consulted their family member and encouraged them to make their own decisions. People did not have access to a range of planned activities and improvements were needed.

Is the service well led?

Staff spoken with had an understanding of the ethos of the home and quality assurance processes were in place. Relatives told us that they were asked for their feedback on the service their family member received. Visitors and staff said that they had felt listened to when they had made a suggestion or raised their concerns. People told us that the new interim manager was approachable. Visitors told us that they had been informed of the current situation regarding the management company operating the home.

Our observations showed us that staff members were responsive to the needs of people and that they were given the support and attention they needed.

People told us that they received the care and support they required. Improvements had been made to the care planning system that had been reviewed and now held complete and up to date information.

People had recently had their care and support needs assessed by a range of health care professionals to ensure their needs were met.

Improvements had been made to the way medication was administered, recorded and stored.

People living in the home and their relatives told us that the members of staff working in the home had changed and were friendly, kind and respectful towards people.

Staff members had all recently undertaken training. We found that they were well led and their work practice was monitored through an increased level of staff supervision and meetings.

People living in the home and their relatives told us that they were offered opportunities to give their views and feedback on the quality of the service provided.

Our observations showed us that staff members were responsive to the needs of people and that they were given the support and attention they needed.

Care staff told us that they did not have access to the plans of care for each person. We found that improvements were needed because some of the plans of care were incomplete, had not been reviewed and were not all up to date.

People had not been provided with the professional health care assessments they required and improvements were needed.

Medication was not fully administered, recorded and stored accurately and safely.

People living in the home and their relatives told us that they sometimes had to wait for assistance because the staff were busy.

People spoken with and their relatives told us that most of the staff members were, 'Kind.' However, improvements were needed to staff training and the frequency of staff supervision and meetings.

People living in the home and their relatives told us that no-one asked them for their views and feedback on the quality of the service provided.

The records held were not all complete and up to date and did not fully ensure that staff members had access to information that protected people and ensured their needs were fully met.

Our observations showed us that people were given the support and attention they needed and had a positive experience of being included in conversations, decision making and activities.

Improvements had been made to the plans of care which contained the information staff members needed to ensure that the health and safety of people was promoted.

Relatives told us that people received the care and support they needed and that staff were very kind.

People were provided with a variety of freshly cook meals and had their fluid and nutritional needs monitored and met.

Improvements had been made to the maintenance of the environment and the cleanliness of the home.

Staffing levels had been increased to ensure people received the care and support they needed.

Staff members were trained and were supported to provide an appropriate standard of care through increased supervision and staff team meetings.

The organisation and accuracy of the records held had improved since our last inspection visit to ensure people safely received the care and support they needed.