The Beeches

Updated 16 April 2020

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.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

The Beeches 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work 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.

We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service and ten relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, care staff, the maître d, activities co-ordinator, the assistant cook, regional manager and the operations director.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We also received feedback from three healthcare professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 16 April 2020

About the service

The Beeches provides residential care for up to 44 people, some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 32 people living in the home. Accommodation is provided in a period building including a number of communal areas and a large woodland garden area.

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

People received exceptionally personalised care and support which they were in control of. Staff and management were fully committed to providing an exceptional level of person-centred care. Staff had an excellent understanding of people’s support needs and personal preferences, activities were planned very closely with people to establish their individual interests. People were at the forefront of their care and support. The service was passionate about providing compassionate and respectful end of life care to people.

The service was extremely well managed at both provider and service level. We received lots of positive feedback about the service and their motivation to provide an exceptional service. People, their relatives and staff were involved in the way it was run and given plentiful opportunities to feedback their opinions.

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. People were happy living at The Beeches and with the care they received. People felt safe and well-treated by staff. Staff were kind, considerate and treated people with respect and dignity.

Risk assessments were in place, providing guidance for staff in how to reduce risks and keep people safe from harm. People's medicines were administered as prescribed. Accidents, incidents and near misses were used as an opportunity to learn and make necessary improvements.

People were provided with a nutritious and varied diet and a choice of food to meet their preferences. Staff supported people to maintain their health and they sought timely advice from health professionals, when needed. A package of induction and training was provided to staff in developing the skills they needed to safely and effectively deliver care and support to people.

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 Outstanding (published 22 August 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.