Archived: Blenheim Care Centre

Blenheim Care Centre provides accommodation for a maximum of 64 people. The service has three floors and accommodates people in single rooms each with en suite facilities. The ground floor provides general nursing care for up to 12 older people and 8 people with physical disabilities. The first floor provides personal care for up to 22 older people with dementia care needs. The second floor provides nursing care for up to 22 older people with dementia care needs. Each floor has communal dining, sitting rooms and bathing facilities. At the time of inspection there were 60 people using the service.

The service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The previous registered manager had left in September 2016 and a new manager had been in post since 15 November 2016 and was applying for registration with the Care Quality Commission.

Risk assessments had not always been completed. Where risks had been identified, action to minimise them had not always been implemented, so risks to individuals had not been minimised.

Accidents and incidents had been recorded but they had not been investigated or reported to the local authority and there was no evidence they were being monitored to look for trends.

Repairs and replacement of equipment was not always carried out in a timely way, which could pose a risk to people’s safety.

Staff recruitment procedures were in place but were not always being followed to ensure only suitable staff were employed by the service.

The service was not meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). DoLS are in place to ensure that people’s freedom is not unduly restricted. Capacity and best interest assessments had not been carried out and consent was not always being sought for care and treatment, which could place people at risk of the service not acting in their best interest.

People’s dietary needs and preferences were not always being identified and met and the quality of the food provision needed to be improved.

Care records did not always reflect people’s individual needs, interests and wishes and there was no evidence that people and their representatives had not been involved in the planning of care.

Processes for auditing and monitoring had not been effective in identifying all shortfalls within the service.

The majority of staff responded well to people’s needs and care and treatment was provided in a way that met people’s individual preferences. People were treated with dignity and respect.

The provider made suitable arrangements to ensure service users were protected against the risks associated with the inappropriate administration of medicines.

Procedures were in place to safeguard people against the risk of abuse and staff understood the importance of keeping people safe and reporting concerns.

Moving and handling equipment was being used safely and correct procedures were being followed when transferring people and moving them around the service.

Staff received training to provide them with the skills and knowledge to care for people effectively.

People’s healthcare needs were identified and they received the input they needed from health and social care professionals.

Some activities took place and work was ongoing to improve the activity provision in the service.

A complaints procedure was in place and people and relatives said they would express any concerns so they could be addressed.

The manager had identified shortfalls and was working with the deputy manager to make improvements at the service.

We found five breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.

Blenheim Care Centre provides accommodation for a maximum of 64 people. The service has three floors and accommodates people in single rooms each with en suite facilities. The ground floor provides general nursing care for up to 12 older people and 8 people with physical disabilities. The first floor provides personal care for up to 22 older people with dementia care needs. The second floor provides nursing care for up to 22 older people with dementia care needs. Each floor has communal dining, sitting rooms and bathing facilities. At the time of inspection there were 57 people using the service.

The service is required to have a registered manager and there was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The majority of care records were up to date and reflected people’s needs, however we did identify some shortfalls with completion and updating of documents. This had already been identified by the registered manager and action was being taken to address this.

People and relatives expressed their satisfaction with the care and support being provided.

Systems were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse.

Risk assessments were in place for identified areas of risk to minimise them. Maintenance and servicing of the premises and equipment took place to maintain a safe environment.

Staff recruitment procedures were in place and being followed. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

The provider made suitable arrangements to ensure service users were protected against the risks associated with the inappropriate treatment of medicines.

Staff worked well as a team and received training to provide them with the skills and knowledge to care for people effectively.

Staff understood people’s rights to make choices about their care and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff acted in people’s best interests to ensure their freedom was not unduly restricted.

People’s nutritional needs were assessed and monitored. People’s dietary needs and preferences were being met.

People’s healthcare needs were monitored and they were referred to the GP and other healthcare professionals if needed.

People and where appropriate their representatives were involved with making choices about care needs. Staff respected people’s choices and treated them with dignity and respect.

Staff had a good understanding of the individual care and support people needed and provided this in a gentle, caring and calm manner.

People and relatives were confident to raise any complaints and systems were in place to record and investigate these.

The manager was approachable and had the qualifications and skills to manage the service effectively.

Meetings for relatives and people took place and action was taken to address points raised. Staff meetings took place and individual supervisions were being progressed to identify staff development needs.