• Care Home
  • Care home

Blakesley House Nursing Home

Overall: Requires improvement read more about inspection ratings

7 Blakesley Avenue, Ealing, London, W5 2DN (020) 8991 2364

Provided and run by:
Mrs M Lane

Latest inspection summary

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Background to this inspection

Updated 15 February 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 2 inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Blakesley House Nursing Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Blakesley House Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

The provider is registered as an individual and as such is not required to have a registered manager in place. This means that they are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 8 people who used the service and 1 relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the provider, 2 nurses, 3 care workers, 2 agency care workers and the chef. 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 four people’s care records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We looked at how the provider was managing risk in the service including incidents and accidents. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. After the inspection, we continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We contacted 3 relatives and received a call from 1 other relative. We emailed 3 professionals who regularly visit the service but did not receive a reply.

Overall inspection

Requires improvement

Updated 15 February 2023

About the service

Blakesley House Nursing Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 22 older people, including those who are living with the experience of dementia. At the time of our inspection, 14 people were using the service.

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

People were not always protected from the risk of avoidable harm. Although risks to people's safety and wellbeing were identified, and measures were in place to minimise these, incidents such as falls and aggression had continued to happen.

Records were not always completed appropriately and in a timely manner. People did not always receive their medicines safely and as prescribed. Safety checks were undertaken regularly including fire safety and environment checks. However, we found some safety issues during our visit, such as unsecured cupboards and windows.

Although there seemed to be enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs, during mealtime, people being cared for in their rooms were not always supported promptly.

People’s health and nutritional needs were met.

The provider’s monitoring systems had not always been effective as the systems had not identified the shortfalls we found at this inspection.

The provision of activities had improved and we saw people were consulted and supported to undertake activities of their choice.

Feedback indicated people using the service were happy with the care they received. Relatives’ opinion of the service varied, with one being happy with the care and the other expressing negative feedback.

There were robust procedures for preventing and controlling infection, and the staff followed these.

There were procedures to help make sure staff employed were suitable and had the skills and knowledge they needed. These included recruitment checks, regular training and supervision. The staff told us they were happy working at the service.

The provider was suitably qualified and experienced. They worked with staff who had been at the service for a long time and who knew people well. There were appropriate systems for reviewing people's health and working with relevant health and social care professionals.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 5 August 2021) and there was a breach of regulation 9 (Person-centred care). At this inspection we found improvements had been made in this area but the provider was still in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced focused inspection of this service on 7 July 2021. One breach of legal requirements was found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve person-centred care and good governance.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the key questions safe, responsive and well-led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has not changed. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

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

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 have identified breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment and good governance. 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 for the provider to understand what they will do to improve. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.