Archived: Beechtree House Limited

Updated 27 May 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We undertook an unannounced focused inspection of Beechtree House Limited on 11 April 2017. This inspection was carried out to check that improvements had been made to meet legal requirements after our previous inspection on 23 and 29 September 2016. We inspected the service against one of the five questions we ask about services: Is the service Safe? This is because the service was previously not meeting a legal requirement. This inspection was carried out by one inspector and 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.

The provider did not complete a Provider Information Return (PIR), because we carried out this inspection before another PIR was required. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. Prior to the inspection we reviewed other information we held about the service, we looked at the previous inspection report and any notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law.

We spoke to the registered manager, deputy manager, and two members of care staff. We spoke with six people using the service and one relative to gain their views and experience of the service. We observed people with staff in the communal lounge and dining room. We looked at three people’s risk assessments, three staff recruitment files, emergency procedures, general safety checks, accidents and incidents and medicines management.

We asked the registered manager to send additional information after the inspection visit, which included the training matrix. The information we requested was sent to us in a timely manner.

We last inspected this service on 23 and 29 September 2017 when one breach in the regulations was identified.

Updated 27 May 2017

The inspection was carried out on 11 April 2017 and was an unannounced inspection.

Beechtree House Limited provides care and accommodation for up to 24 people, some of whom are living with dementia. The property is Georgian, extended and adapted. The majority of bedrooms are for single occupancy, with two that can be shared. Most bedrooms have ensuite facilities. Accommodation is over three floors accessed by a lift. There is an enclosed garden and small car park. There were 22 people living at the service when we inspected.

Rating at last inspection

At the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection on 23 and 29 September 2016, the service was rated overall Good and Requires Improvement in the 'Safe' domain.

Why we inspected

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 23 and 29 September 2016. We found a beach of legal requirements. After the comprehensive inspection, the provider sent us an action plan dated October 2016, telling us what they would do to meet legal requirements in relation to the breaches of Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act Regulated Activities Regulations 2014 Safe Care and Treatment.

We undertook this focused inspection to check and to confirm that they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to those requirements. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Beechtree House Limited on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Why the service is rated Good.

People using the service felt safe with the staff that supported them. The safety of people using the service had been assessed and recorded by the registered manager who understood their responsibility to protect people’s health and well-being. Staff and the management team had received training about protecting people from abuse, and they knew what action to take if they suspected abuse.

Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and measures put into place to manage any hazards identified. The premises and equipment were maintained and checked to help ensure people’s safety.

Recruitment practices were safe and checks were carried out to make sure staff were suitable to work with people who needed care and support. There were enough trained staff on duty to meet people’s assessed needs. However, staff were not always deployed to ensure they were able to effectively supervise people. We have made a recommendation about this.

People received their medicines safely and when they needed them. Policies and procedures were in place for the safe administration of medicines and staff had been trained to administer medicines safely.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.