Branksome Park Care Centre

Branksome Park Care Centre is a purpose-built home in a residential area of Poole. It is registered to provide nursing care, treatment and rehabilitation for up to 59 people over the age of 18 some of whom were living with chronic and complex neurological conditions. The home is split over three floors which are accessible by stairs or a lift. There were 58 people receiving a service at the time of inspection.

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

People, their relatives and staff told us they felt safe living at Branksome Park Care Centre, there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. The home was busy, with a calm and welcoming atmosphere. People were protected from the risk of avoidable infection as infection prevention and control procedures were in place.

The registered manager and senior management team had made numerous improvements within the home since our last inspection. Governance systems within the home were operating effectively and had enabled them to identify further improvements such as with care planning and communication.

People received their medicines as prescribed. However, we identified some areas where information was required or could be strengthened. The registered manager and the clinical team took immediate action to rectify those areas. There was no impact to people identified.

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 had the necessary capacity assessments and legal processes in place to ensure their rights were fully respected.

Staff were trained well, understood their role, responsibilities and felt supported. Staff only worked within their scope of competence. Recruitment procedures were robust. People had access to enough food and drink. The home worked well with a variety of health and social care specialists and professionals. We were told the home was proactive and responsive where people’s medical needs were concerned.

Risk assessments and care plans were in place for people’s care and support. However, records had been transferred to a new electronic system and were not always person centred or consistent. The home had recognised this and while the transfer took place, the registered manager had mitigated the risks to people by allocating staff to specific people and areas of the home and running another electronic daily planner which held up to date information about people’s needs. Increased checks of care and compliance had been actioned and the registered manager and clinical lead were continuously monitoring. There were clear, realistic timescales in place for completion.

People had access to a wide variety of activities and opportunities. People were encouraged and supported with independence. People and their relatives told us staff treated them with dignity and respect.

We received positive feedback about the management of Branksome Park Care Centre. The home was open in their approach to learning and driving improvements.

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 6 December 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.

Branksome Park Care Centre provides personal and nursing care and treatment for up to 59 people over the age of 18 years old. The service cares for people with a variety of needs, including complex needs associated with chronic and acute medical conditions, including brain injury, as well as short term and rehabilitation or palliative care. The service also provides respite care. Accommodation for people is arranged over three floors and five living units. The building is purpose built for people living with disabilities and complex health needs. There was a well maintained garden that provided a safe, accessible areas for people to enjoy. There were 57 people living or staying at the service at the time of the inspection.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found significant improvments and the evidence supported the rating of outstanding. There was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This is why this inspection report has been written in a shorter format.

Why the service is rated Outstanding

People were protected from potential abuse and avoidable harm by staff who were knowledgeable about recognising and reporting different signs of abuse.

There were enough appropriately qualified staff available on each shift to ensure people were cared and supported safely.

Risks to people were well managed and medicines were managed effectively. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection.

There was a system in place to review and learn from incidents when things went wrong.

Staff received training to meet the individual complex needs of people. People told us staff were skilled and well trained. Staff told us they felt well supported to carry out their roles and told us everyone worked very well together as a team for the benefit of the people living at Branksome Park Care Centre.

People’s needs were fully assessed and they had access to the specialist health care professionals who worked closely with the staff at the service.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People had access to nutritious, home cooked food that they enjoyed and were given choice in their menu selections.

People's independence and wellbeing was enhanced by the environment of the home.

There was an open, friendly and homely atmosphere. People and staff were relaxed and comfortable with each other. People were supported with kindness and compassion by staff who knew them and understood the care they needed.

There were processes in place to ensure people did not experience discrimination in relation to their care and support. People were treated with dignity and respect and were supported to make their own choices.

People received outstanding personalised care and support and in the ways they preferred. Staff took the time to get to know people and their life and social histories so they could truly understand their experiences. People’s needs and preferences were consistently assessed or planned for and met.

The responsive care and support people received had an extremely positive impact on their and their families lives. People and their representatives were actively involved in developing and contributing to their care plans.

There was an emphasis on personalise meaningful activity that was based on people’s interests and experiences. People took part in individual and group activities and events both at Branksome Park Care Centre and in the local community.

Complaints and concerns were encouraged and seen by the provider and registered manager as part of driving improvement.

The service was led by an innovative stable management team that was approachable and respected by the people, relatives, professionals and staff. People, their relatives and staff were consulted in all aspects of the service and involved in their care and support. The service worked collaboratively with other professionals to improve and develop services that impacted on both people living and using the service and in the community.

There was a robust programme of quality checks and audits to ensure the quality of the service was maintained.

Further information is in the detailed findings below