4 October 2022
During an inspection looking at part of the service
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Barton Place had been through a challenging period related to the recruitment and retention of staff and the Covid 19 pandemic. During this period, they had been proactive in adopting measures to ensure people continued to be supported safely. The recruitment and staffing difficulties were now resolving, and the service was opening up again to visitors after the lockdowns. Relatives’ meetings were being reinstated and action being taken to increase their involvement and engagement with the service.
There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service, but it had been challenging to complete the full range of audits given the operational difficulties facing the service. Despite this, key audits had been completed and the registered manager had a detailed knowledge of where improvements were needed. The provider and registered manager were now in the process of improving and streamlining governance processes to make them more effective.
People felt safe living at Barton Place, and we observed the interaction with staff supporting them was relaxed. Staff were recruited safely, and safeguarding processes were in place to help protect people from abuse. Risks associated with people's care had been assessed and guidance was in place for staff to follow. Care plans were detailed, and person centred, with needs and risks reviewed with staff on a daily basis. This meant staff were kept informed about the support people needed.
Staff received the training they needed to keep themselves and people safe and meet their needs. This included supporting people who were expressing distress and/or agitation. This meant their healthcare and nutritional needs were met. External professionals were complimentary about how the service worked in partnership with them.
People received their medicines safely, and in the way prescribed for them. The provider had good systems to manage safeguarding concerns, accidents and environmental safety.
Barton Place provided a person-centred service. The care provided was sensitive to people's diverse needs. Staff effectively supported people’s communication which meant they could express their views and make choices about how they wished to be supported.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 08 May 2019)
Why we inspected
We received concerns in relation to staffing; the management of risks; poor moving and handling; abuse; infection prevention and the management of the service. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of Safe and Well-Led only. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns.
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.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.