Archived: Barnhaven

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found.

At the time of this inspection there were 10 people living at the service. We met with the majority of people and spoke with six in some depth to hear their views and experiences of living at Barnhaven.

We spent time observing the care and attention delivered to people and reviewing various records, including care records. We also spoke with two relatives, one health professional, one social care professional and three members of staff, including the registered manager.

If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. All of the people we spoke with told us they felt safe and happy living at Barnhaven.

The service was safe, clean and hygienic. Improvements had been made to the laundry and sluice facilities since our last inspection. However, there were no hand washing facilities in either room. We contacted the local Environmental Health Officer following the inspection, who confirmed that ideally hand washing facilities should be available to staff in both the laundry and sluice. They suggested a risk assessment should be completed to ensure staff were protected and the risk of infection was reduced until the sinks were fitted. We discussed this with the registered manager who submitted risk assessments following the inspection. This helped to reduce the risk of infection.

Equipment was well maintained and serviced regularly therefore not putting people at unnecessary risk.

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

The registered manager ensured there were sufficient staff on duty with the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience required to ensure people's needs were met. People were supported by staff who had received appropriate training in the skills required to perform their roles.

The service had appropriate systems in place for gathering, recording and evaluating information about the quality and safety of the overall service. Systems were in place to make sure the manager and provider learnt from events such as accidents and incidents. This reduced the risks to people and helped the service to continually improve.

Is the service effective?

People's health and care needs were assessed with them, and they were involved in writing their plans of care. Specialist dietary, mobility and equipment needs had been identified in care plans where required. People told us their current needs were being well met by the service.

People's preferences and interests had been recorded and care and support was provided in accordance with people's wishes. We found improvement in the frequency and the variety of activities offered since the last inspection, which meant people had increased opportunities for meaningful occupation.

Visitors confirmed that they were able to see people in private and that visiting times were flexible. They told us they felt welcome at the home and that there was good communication with the home.

Visiting professionals told us the home communicated well with them and there was an open and friendly atmosphere.

Is the service caring?

People told us they were happy at the home and that they felt safe and well cared for. Comments included, 'It is marvellous here'; 'They (staff) are all so helpful and kind'; 'This is a happy home with a lovely atmosphere. It is like a big family' and 'Nothing is too much trouble for them (staff)'.

Relatives told us they were happy with the care and support provided to their family member. One relative said, 'This is close to perfection here'. Another commented, 'I feel X is safe here, especially since the staffing increase'.

People were supported by kind and attentive staff. Staff spoken with showed they knew people well; we observed staff to be polite, respectful and caring throughout the inspection.

Is the service responsive?

Visiting health and social care professionals told us the service was responsive to people's changing needs. A community nurse told us they were always contacted appropriately and their recommendations were always acted upon.

People knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy. No complaints had been received since our last inspection. However, people said they would be happy to speak to staff or the manager and that they were confident any concerns would be listen to and acted on. People can therefore be assured that complaints are investigated and action is taken as necessary.

People using the service, their relatives, and visiting professionals involved with the service completed an annual satisfaction survey. Where shortfalls or concerns were raised these were addressed.

Is the service well-led?

The service worked well with other agencies and services to make sure people received their care in a joined up way. Professionals spoken with expressed their confidence in the manager and staff.

Several people living at Barnhaven, relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager. Comments included, 'The home is very well managed by X. She listens, is helpful, thoughtful and considerate. She always gets things done'; 'The home is well managed. There is always a good atmosphere and the staff are happy. That speaks volumes' and 'The manager is excellent. She is a good leader and always has time for us'

The service had a robust quality assurance system in place, records seen by us showed that identified shortfalls were addressed. As a result the quality of the service was continuingly improving.

All of the people we spoke with were complimentary about the care and support they received. They told us they felt safe at Barnhaven. Comments included, 'The staff are lovely. They are patient and kind'; 'The staff would do anything for us. Nothing is too much trouble for them', 'I am happy here. I have little to complain about' and 'It is very nice here.' People were happy with the overall cleanliness of the home and all were aware of who to speak with should they have a concern or complaint.

We spoke with two relatives during this inspection. Both told us they were happy with the level of care provided to their family member. One relative told us, 'They understand X's needs; fads and fancies'. Another relative told us, 'We are pleased with the care and X seems to be settled'.

We spoke with three health and social care professionals following the inspection. No concerns about the care and support provided at the home were raised. Visiting professionals told us that there was good communication with the home about people's changing needs, and all said that staff carried out any recommendations they made. Staff spoken with told us they enjoyed their work and that they were well supported in their role.

We found that arrangements were in place for obtaining people's consent, which protected their rights. The planning and delivery of care ensured people received the appropriate level of support and care. A complaints system was in place to deal with comments and complaints, which ensured that people could raise concerns without being discriminated against for making a complaint.

We found that the provider was not meeting all of the outcomes we inspected. People were cared for in a clean environment. However, people were not fully protected from the risk of infection because effective and hygienic measures were not in place to reduce the risk of contamination within the laundry/sluice room. There were not always enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs