Barty House Nursing Home

On this page

• Overview
• Person-centred Care
• Care provision, Integration and continuity
• Providing Information
• Listening to and involving people
• Equity in access
• Equity in experiences and outcomes
• Planning for the future

Responsive

Responsive – this means we looked for evidence that the provider met people’s needs.

At our last assessment we rated this key question Outstanding. At this assessment the rating has changed to Good. This meant people’s needs were met through good organisation and delivery.

Staff demonstrated an exceptional approach towards person-centred care. One that focused on the person, enabling them to retain their independence which gave them a sense of control. People could make their own decisions and were involved in their care. People at the end of their life were provided with sensitive and dignified care.

This service scored 86 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider was good at making sure people were at the centre of their care. People were aware they had care plans and that they had the opportunity to review these. One person said, “[Staff member] went through my care plan with me last month.” A second said, “I’ve gone through my care plan and changed a few things.” Other people told us they felt well looked after and liked living at Barty House, telling us, “Personal care is pretty good, they (staff) are very gentle” and, “The staff are hand-picked and they are lovely.” Relatives were happy with the care their family member received. They told us, “The staff are nice – they are very good with him.”

People’s care plans included personalised details such as their preferred television programmes and favourite types of music as well as individual preferences. For instance, one person had requested their radio be left on while they were in their room, and we heard it playing as we passed by. Other care plans outlined potential triggers for distress and provided guidance for staff on how to respond appropriately—for example, by offering reassurance or arranging a phone call with a family member.

Staff reported they had sufficient information to understand each person’s needs and individuality. Care plans were comprehensive and included relevant details to help ensure personalised, person-centred care. The provider was aware of the need to keep people’s care plans current and they were in the process of recruiting a dedicated 'care planner' whose role would be to regularly review and enhance care documentation. This would help ensure they remained current, well-written and accurate as well as maintain the quality.

The registered manager had an exceptional understanding of the diverse health and care needs of people and their local communities, so care was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity.

People were very happy living at Barty House and through our conversations with them and from the minutes of residents meetings they felt they had the opportunity to take part in activities if they wished and they enjoyed the activities that were provided. People were supported to access the community both for social reasons and also to receive input from external healthcare professionals. Due to the close links with the care home support team there was the facility for people to receive treatment and therapy from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and senior nurse.

People were supported in maintaining their independence and encouraged to continue their usual daily activities, such as ordering items online or getting their favourite takeaway meals." One person said, “At first it was clothing, but now I can order birthday present for family and items for my room.” Another person said, “I order pizza’s and fish and chips in and I asked for toffee’s and the staff went to the shop to get some for me. I’ve also done [well known supermarket name] shopping too.” A third person told us they had a, “[Burger name] once a week.” This showed a respect for people’s autonomy and demonstrated care was tailored to people’s individual preferences and lifestyles. Also, the connection with modern devices and conveniences was especially important in reducing the risk of isolation for people.

The service actively welcomed involvement from the local community. This included hosting church services on-site and organising local outings for people in the surrounding area. People said staff knew how they liked to spend their time and encouraged this. One person told us, “There are church services here. I don’t always go to activities, but if they know you’re interested, they will come and find you.”

The registered manager provided appropriate, accurate and up-to-date information in formats that were tailored to individual needs. There was information displayed around the service in different formats, such as pictorial format. This included minutes of resident and relative’s meetings, details of activities taking place and a board which displayed ‘you said’, ‘we did’ comments and actions. A relative said, “Mum is always telling us about the activities they do. She carries the list with her.”

One person did not speak English as their first language, but some staff could communicate with them in their native language. We heard them explaining the menu to this person to ensure they understood the choices available.

The registered manager made it easy for people to share feedback and ideas, or raise complaints about their care, treatment and support. A relative said, “I wouldn’t have any issues raising anything. We thought something of Mum’s had gone astray and they treated it seriously. It was all dealt with in a comfortable way and it was resolved.”

People felt listened to. One person’s room was in a different configuration when they first move in. The registered manager asked them how they wished their room to be arranged and organised for it to be changed to how they wanted it. A second person asked to change rooms and this was arranged for them. People were also asked where they wished to sit when coming into the dining room for lunch.

Regular residents meetings were held where people could give their views on the service and the care they received. In addition, the service had an electronic survey system in the reception area where people, visitors and staff could leave their feedback.

The registered manager was exceptional at ensuring people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it.

People received care that was right for them and suited to their individual needs and choices. One person told us, “I like fresh fruit and they bring me pears.” A relative said, “At first she wouldn’t come out of her room, so they took the activities to her and they found she liked craft work and they encourage her.” They went on to say, “She likes a cooked breakfast. She doesn’t always ask for it, but she ends up with what she wants.”

The service believed in promoting equal access to all whether they were a resident at Barty House or a family member. The registered manager told us, “Some of our relatives are aging now too and staff will go and pick them up so they can visit their family member. Or staff will drop them back to their home after a visit. Staff have also taken residents out to family do’s at weekends, etc. to enable the resident to spend time out with their family.”

The registered manager demonstrated a strong commitment to helping people live fuller lives by actively promoting safe, timely discharges from hospital wherever possible. They told us, “We had a lady here whose husband was taken into hospital very poorly. We moved the lady to our biggest room and put an extra bed in there so the hospital could discharge the lady’s husband into our care. It meant so much to them both to be together again for that time.”

People had good access to treatment when they needed it. They could see a doctor if they requested it or ask for appointments to be made for them, such as a chiropody appointment. One person told us, “I saw the doctor yesterday and he gave me antibiotics.”

The service worked closely with a community team of therapists who visited once a week to provide support and treatment to people, such as physiotherapy. We observed 1 person being supported to walk unaided and complete exercises with a physiotherapist and another person receiving a consultation from a senior nurse. As a result of the person-centred care 1 person received at Barty House, they had made such significant progress that they were due to return home. This reflected the service’s commitment to working towards people’s goals.

Staff and leaders actively listened to information about people who are most likely to experience inequality in experience or outcomes and tailored their care, support and treatment in response to this.

People told us how much it meant to them that their family members could visit at any time. This enabled them to see their family members whenever they could which gave them enhanced sense of wellbeing. One person said, “Visiting is at any time. It was my birthday and my family visited.” A relative told us, “I can go in any time of day or night. I am always made to feel welcome.”

There were strong links with the community which gave people a sense of independence. Since our last inspection, a change in the local bus route had been introduced so it stopped at Barty House. This meant twice a week people had the opportunity to take a trip to local stores. A relative told us, “I like it because it’s nice. She can get birthday cards and gifts for herself and it helps her independence. It helps her feel like she’s got control.” The registered manager told us, “We have the bus now and also we have facilitated links with the army who have arranged trips out for people. They’ve given us their commitment to continue these. They’ve also sent personnel in on specific days, such as Armistice Day, to talk to residents. It’s great because they come in their uniforms which really means a lot to people.” One person told us, “We went to Aylesford Priory and the Royal Engineers Museum (with the army) last month.”

Activities had been adapted for people’s changing needs. A staff member felt people’s needs were more complex which prevented some people from participating in group activities. They said they would engage and chat with people in their rooms during the morning when going around with the tea trolley and they had introduced more tactile and sensory one-to-one activity for people who were cared for in bed. The registered manager told us they would continue to work on adapting activities to ensure an inclusive approach and experience for people.

People were given exceptional support to plan for important life changes, so they could have enough time to make informed decisions about their future, including at the end of their life.

People were supported to express their preferences for end-of-life care, with these wishes clearly documented in their care plans to help ensure they were respected and upheld. Staff were trained in delivering sensitive end-of-life care and worked in close partnership with the local hospice. This link helped to ensure people received dignified, compassionate support tailored to their individual needs at a crucial time in their lives. Relatives were very happy with this aspect of their family members care, with one telling us, “My mum was transferred to Barty House from Maidstone hospital for end-of-life care. She has been warmly welcomed and made to feel very comfortable. The staff seem very friendly and caring.”

The registered manager demonstrated a passion to ensuring people could spend their final days in a comfortable, and dignified setting rather than in hospital. They told us, “We have a very good relationship with all the local hospitals and they know we are happy for them to discharge people who are end-of-life to us. Even if someone comes to us for one day, we will arrange it if we can. If it gives the family the opportunity to spend time in a private room with their loved one to say their goodbye’s, then it means a lot to us. We’ve put extra mattresses down on people’s floors or used spare rooms to enable relatives to stay during this time.”