The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Barrowhill Hall Care Home

Barrow Hill, Rocester, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5BX (01889) 591006

Provided and run by:
Staffordshire Property Investment Fund Limited

All Inspections

20 April 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited the service as concerns had been identified about the care and welfare of people. The joint commissioning unit (JCU) carried out a visit to the service and identified further concerns with how care and support was provided, the care records, care practices in the service and how the service responded to safeguarding procedures. The JCU is a partnership between Staffordshire County Council, local primary care trusts (PCT) and NHS North Staffordshire, and they visit services on a planned announced basis to monitor the quality of service provision or in response to safeguarding concerns.

Due to concerns, Barrowhill Hall is under a multi agency investigation which is coordinated by the local authority. The local adult care teams are carrying out individual reviews of people's care arrangements and the multi agency investigation is presently ongoing. We have liaised with other professionals throughout this process and visited the service with a local authority quality monitoring officer from the Joint Commissioning Unit.

We visited the service on an unannounced basis, so they did not know we were visiting. During our visit we used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people using the service, because some people had complex needs which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences. Where people were not able to express their views to us, we observed interaction between people using the service and staff. We also spoke with people who used the service, visitors and health and social care professionals.

Family and friends could visit the home whenever they wanted to, and family members were able to continue to provide care for a relative and spend time in the home. People told us that they go to their families' homes and continue to enjoy family events, and relatives could accompany them on medical appointments.

People we spoke with and visitors told us they were satisfied with care being given and staff listened to them. People were able to wander around the main part of the home with staff being nearby, should they require any assistance. People did not have access to all areas of their home including the new extension, their bedroom and all rooms on the first floor. People were not consulted about any restriction and there were no agreements in place.

Parts of the home and bedrooms had a strong smell of urine. We saw some flooring had been replaced and staff told us there were plans to replace the carpet in the large lounge dining area.

We saw some good interactions from staff with people who used services. They spoke in a manner which was engaging and polite. We heard staff offer choices of tea or coffee, and biscuits.

We found that the systems to report allegations of abuse were not in place. Where concerns had been identified, appropriate referrals and therefore investigations had not always been taken. This meant people could be placed at risk of harm or abuse. This concern had been raised with the home on previous inspections.

Care records did not always reflect the care and support people needed. The plans were reviewed but did not reflect any changes and staff did not always have access to up to date information. This may place people at further risk of receiving inappropriate care.

19 October 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited this service in June 2011 and three compliance actions were made. This meant the home needed to improve outcomes for people in specific areas. We found people were not always supported or encouraged with their meals appropriately, and there was a lack of monitoring fluid intake. The staff had not received training in safe guarding, this meant they did not have a full understanding of adult protection to ensure people they supported were protected from abuse. The home did not have sufficient systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of service provision. We carried out this visit to ensure the service had complied with these actions.

We reviewed how people were being supported in the home and we have major concerns regarding the number of staff on duty.

Due to people's needs it was not always possible for them to share their experiences of what it was like living at Barrowhill Hall. We therefore spent time observing interaction between people and staff and how they spent their time. We observed staff providing support and saw people were treated with respect. Personal care issues were discussed sensitively and discreetly. The staff listened to people and did not rush them. There was evidence the staff were unable to support everyone in a timely way.

There was information recorded about people's care needs, including their preferences and how they wanted care provided. The manager acknowledged that information could be improved upon. This was because direct care for people using the service took precedence.

Visitors spoken with considered Barrowhill Hall was a good home and they were satisfied with the care provided. Relatives were able to continue to play an active role and support people and provide care. When important things happened people told us they were informed.

2 June 2011

During a routine inspection

Due to the needs of the people living at the home the majority of people were not able to share their experiences of what it was like living at Barrowhill Hall Care Home. We therefore spent time observing individuals being supported by the staff on duty. We observed a group of people for a two hour period and recorded how they seemed and what they did, who they talked to or engaged with and how staff interacted with them.

We saw that people using the service were involved in meaningful activities, were supported by kind and patient staff and we heard the majority of staff interactions were positive.

People we were able to speak with told us they were well cared for. They told us that staff work hard and care for them well. People told us that they enjoyed their meals although some people said that they would enjoy being offered a greater choice of food.

The activity co-ordinator worked alongside some of the people using the service, engaging in group activities during the morning.

A professional who visited the home told us they were always made welcome and confirmed the staff were friendly and helpful. They told us that communication was good and that staff were quick to refer individuals if they have concerns about their health, care or welfare.

Staff told us that they enjoy working at the home and that they are generally well supported.