Archived: The Brambles Rest Home

Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection. We visited the home, spoke with people who used the service and looked at records. We also spoke with people's relatives and staff employed by the home. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read our full report.

Is the service safe?

People we spoke with told us they felt safe and well looked after. We found that safeguarding procedures were in place and staff understood how to protect people they supported. Staff we spoke with had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures for vulnerable adults. Staff felt well supported by the manager and senior staff and were confident in reporting any concerns.

We witnessed some people had to wait a long time for carers to help them. Staff did not fully understand how to support people, for instance with high risk areas, such as choking whilst eating or drinking.

Some records kept about people were not accurate and up to date. This meant people may be at risk of receiving unsafe or inappropriate care arising from a lack of proper information about them.

Is the service effective?

People's needs were thoroughly assessed before they moved into the home. The manager completed a variety of risk assessments and formulated care plans in order to guide staff on how care should be delivered to people. The risk assessments and care plans were not always accurate and up to date. People and their relatives were not routinely involved in reviewing people's written plans of care.

People we spoke with and their relatives were happy with the service they received and were complimentary about the staff team.

We saw evidence that the service assisted people to access other forms of health care when required, for example the GP or district nurse.

Is the service caring?

All the people we spoke with and the relatives we spoke with gave positive feedback about how caring the service was. People were happy with the service they received and how they were treated by staff.

We looked at care files for people who used the service and found that information was recorded in a person centred way.

During our observations, we noticed some staff did not seem to know how to provide reassurance and care for some people who were living with dementia.

Is the service responsive?

People's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes when they moved into the home.

The service was good at making referrals to other healthcare professionals as required, due to changes in people's circumstances.

Is the service well-led?

We found the manager did not routinely conduct any audits to identify and monitor any areas for improvement.

Staff meetings were held regularly and the provider and manager operated an open door policy. Staff were encouraged to raise concerns and make any suggestions for improvement.

"I feel I get all the support I need...They encourage me to be as independent as I can be."

"It's very good here, very comfortable...It's a home from home."

"Everything in my room is cleaned and dusted every day...They shampoo the carpets every so often."

"I'm very happy with how clean they keep it."

"I feel safe here."

"I know I can make suggestions and the manager will listen to me."

People received personalised care and support which met their needs. This was because the provider had in place comprehensive assessment and care planning processes. People's individual preferences were taken into account.

We found that the home had appropriate measures in place for infection control to reduce the risks of cross contamination and ensured the environment was clean and hygienic. The premises were suitably designed and maintained to a good standard.

The provider had made changes to their recruitment process to make sure that all relevant checks were carried out to ensure that people were of good character before they began employment. There was a comprehensive induction carried out for new staff to give the provider confidence in their ability to carry out the role.

Adequate measures were in place for the ongoing assessment and monitoring of the quality of the service provided. People were regularly consulted about their views and comments and suggestions were taken seriously. The provider had a suitable complaints policy in place.

We saw that information about life histories and personal preferences in all aspects of daily routines had been recorded. One relative we spoke with told us,' I'm informed of any changes every time I visit. The manager is good and gets things done, she referred my father to the nurse and she is visiting him today.'

The chef told us, I think it's important to ensure everyone's differing tastes in food has been catered for'.'' We observed that people's choices and preferences had been taken into account at meal times.

We saw records showing that the staff and management had quickly responded to any concerns of safeguarding. Referring information to relevant parties to ensure individuals were protected.

We reviewed the recruitment records of four staff. We found that half had not been recruited using an effective procedure. This included all of the appropriate checks to ensure that the person being employed was of good character.

People told us they had no complaints about the service but would be happy to raise their concerns with the staff or managers. One person told us,"I'm happy living here and I would tell the manager if something was wrong."