Archived: Bridge House

Updated 23 January 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was an unannounced inspection and took place on the 12 November 2014. The inspection team consisted of the lead inspector for this service.

Prior to the inspection visit we gathered information from a number of sources. We looked at the information received about the service from notifications sent to the Care Quality Commission by the registered manager. We did not receive a provider information return prior to our inspection as the registered manager only received this just prior to our visit. She was in the process of completing the form at the time of our inspection. A provider information return is a form completed by the registered manager outlining details about the service and the care and support provided.

During the visit we spoke to six people who lived in Bridge House, two district nurses who were in the home on the day of our inspection, two social workers and one volunteer who was playing the piano for the newly formed choir. We spoke to five members of the staff team and spent time with the registered manager.

We looked at the care and support plans for six of the people who lived in Bridge House. We examined staff rosters, the training plan, staff recruitment files and looked at the medicines administration records. We spent time with the chef on duty discussing nutrition and menu planning. During our visit we observed the interaction between the staff and people and watched activities in all three units.

Updated 23 January 2015

This unannounced inspection took place on 12 November 2014. During our previous inspection visit on the 28 November 2013 we found the service met all the national standards we looked at. Since then there had been no incidents or concerns raised that needed investigation.

Bridge House is a purpose built care home set in its own gardens, a short walk from the shops and amenities of Flookburgh village. The home is operated by Cumbria Care, an internal business unit of Cumbria County Council. There are single rooms for 39 residents, set within three separate wings including one caring for people with dementia.

There was a registered manager in post on the day of our inspection visit. 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.

We spoke to people in their own rooms and those who were sitting in the communal areas. People told us they were happy with the care and support they received. Comments included, "I am very happy and glad I decided to move in".

People said they felt safe living in Bridge House and if they ever felt fearful they would speak to any of the staff about what was troubling them.

People were protected by staff who knew how to keep them safe and managed individual risks well. Staffing levels were appropriate which meant there were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and support their independence. The registered manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Health care needs were met through visits from people’s GP and the district nursing service. We saw that the manager and staff worked closely with other external health and social care agencies in order to provide consistent care and support to people living in Bridge House. Staff had completed training in safe handling of medicines and records were up to date.

People were provided with sufficient food and drink in order to maintain good levels of nutrition and hydration. People told us they enjoyed their food and the choices they were given.

We saw evidence that staff recruitment and selection was robust and guaranteed only suitable people were employed to care for and support people using this service.

Observations throughout the day evidenced people were treated with respect and their dignity was preserved at all times. People were supported by a trained and experienced staff team that understood their needs.

There was an appropriate complaints procedure in place and people knew who to speak to if they had concerns or complaints.

There was an internal quality audit system in place to monitor the quality of care and support provided.