Briar Dene Residential Care Home

Updated 16 July 2021

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out the inspection along with an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Briar Dene Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a registered manager. This means that when registered they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who worked with the service.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spent time with people living at the service. We spoke with three people who used the service, the registered manager, and four care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. These included three people’s care records, a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We carried out telephone interviews with two people and eight relatives and continued to seek clarification from the provider to corroborate evidence found. We looked at, audits, care plans, reports and policies.

Updated 16 July 2021

Briar Dene Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to older people. Fifty-seven people were living at the service at the time of our inspection. The service can support up to 62 people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We received positive feedback from people, who told us they were happy living at Briar Dene Care Home. People received person-centred support and staff knew people well. The care plans in place covered all aspects of peoples care and support preferences.

Peoples nutrition and hydration needs were met. People who needed extra help were supported effectively. People enjoyed their dining experience. We received positive feedback about the food and the choices available.

There were systems in place for communicating with people, their relatives and staff to ensure they were fully involved and included handovers, team meetings, phone calls and emails. The environment was clean, safe and maintained to a good standard. It was adapted to meet people’s needs and personalised to suit people’s preferences.

Medicines were managed well, safely administered and recorded accurately. Individualised risk assessments were in place. Staff were confident they would raise concerns to safeguard people. Recruitment and selection procedures ensured suitable staff were employed.

All essential visitors had to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). In addition, complete NHS Track and Trace information, provided evidence of a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the home. Additional cleaning of all areas and frequent touch surfaces was in place and recorded by staff. Staff completed online training. This included putting on and taking off PPE, hand hygiene and other Covid-19 related training. Competency checks and spot checks were carried out by the registered manager with all staff regarding safe use of PPE.

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.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 08/04/2020 and this is the first inspection since registering.

Why we inspected

This was a planned first rating inspection.

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.