Archived: Bakers Court Care Home

The manager in post at the time of our inspection was in the process of becoming registered. 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.

Staff knew how to report concerns or abuse. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs who were employed through safe recruitment processes. Risk assessments were carried out and management plans put in place to enable people to receive safe care. There were effective and up to date systems to check and maintain the safety of the premises. We found errors in the management of medicines however the provider had already identified this as an area of concern and had taken steps to improve this. Records showed that improvements had been achieved as a result of the provider’s actions.

Staff received support through supervisions and training opportunities. Appropriate applications for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards had been applied for and authorised. The service was working jointly with the local authority to get the authorisation of other applications. Staff obtained consent when carrying out care or treatment. People were offered a varied and nutritious food menu and had access to healthcare professionals as required to meet their day-to-day health needs.

People thought staff were caring and staff knew how to build positive relationships with people who used the service. Staff ensured people’s privacy and dignity was respected and their level of independence was maintained. Each person had a named nurse and named carer who they could speak with as a first point of contact.

Staff knew the people they were supporting including their preferences to ensure a personalised service was provided. A variety of activities were offered which included trips outside the home. The service dealt with complaints in accordance with their policy and timescales.

People and staff thought the new manager was approachable and supportive. The provider held regular meetings for staff and for people and their relatives. People and their representatives were given the opportunity to complete feedback surveys. We have made a recommendation about communicating the results of these surveys to interested parties. The provider had quality assurance systems in place to identify areas for improvement and had brought in extra support to enable improvements to take place.

People spoke positively about the staff and care provided at the service. One person told us, 'I like it here' and another person told us, 'nurses and carers are fantastic.' We spoke to a relative who said 'my mum is looked after very well.'

We spoke to people who used the service, visitors and staff and found there were enough experienced staff to meet people's needs because the provider had arrangements in place to cover staff shortages. This was confirmed by our observations on the day of our visit and through reviewing staff records. On the day of our visit we observed people who needed assistance were asked if they wanted to go to bed during the evening and nobody was left waiting for support.

Care was provided professionally by care support workers and by nursing staff. We observed how care preferences were respected and care support plans followed. We saw that care support plans were regularly reviewed by the provider with input from the person and their representatives.

Medicines were ordered, administered, stored, recorded and disposed of safely. There was evidence that no medication was administered without the permission of the person.

There were enough trained staff working at the home to meet people's needs. This ensured that people received a safe service.

Records were regularly reviewed and updated via several methods. We were able to check audits and results of surveys which ensured that the service was modified where necessary.

People who use the service were positive about the care and treatment they received at the home. They confirmed that staff assisted them when they needed support with their care and that staff were very helpful. People also told us they had good access to health care professionals such as doctors, mental health professionals, nurses, dentists and chiropodists.

We spoke to people about safety. They told us that they felt safe and that if anything ever happened they would be happy to speak to the manager.

We were able to speak to staff and view their files. This showed us that the provider had taken care in employing staff of good character and in ensuring that the induction process was appropriate.

We found that all areas of risk had been appropriately assessed and that the provider carried out regular checks and reviews. Policies and procedures were comprehensive and appropriate to ensure the delivery of a safe, effective service.