Archived: Bryden House

Is the service safe?

Is the service effective?

Is the service caring?

Is the service responsive?

Is the service well led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

The recently appointed manager completed assessment visits prior to a person being admitted to the home. We saw assessments that had been completed, and care needs information was recorded. We saw that information was obtained from other health professionals. Care plans were formulated and consent forms for information sharing and taking of photographs were obtained. This meant that people could be confident that their needs, at the time of admission to the care home, could be met.

Several people living in the care home had medications prescribed for pain control. We saw that when these medications were prescribed on an 'as required' basis there were no detailed care plans. There were inadequate details of the types of pain the medications were prescribed for, and no record of the effectiveness of the medications that had been administered. Pain assessments were not routinely used. We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to providing people with medications in a safe way, and when they need them.

We saw that people's weights were monitored, and for people who were assessed as 'high risk' they were weighed monthly. We saw that actions were planned for people who had lost weight, and that nutritional supplements were prescribed. We also saw that community health professionals had been consulted and involved.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors the operation of he Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards which applies to care homes. The provider had policies and procedures in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and applications had been submitted in line with the provider's policies and procedures. This meant that people would be safeguarded as required.

Is the service effective?

We spoke with staff who confirmed that their new manager had completed their supervisions and appraisals for this year. They spoke positively about their appraisals and they said they had agreed goals and training requirements. They also told us that they had valued the opportunity to discuss any concerns they had with the manager.

One member of staff told us: "The training is pretty good here", and we looked at the training records which confirmed that mandatory training had been undertaken by staff. Another staff told us: "I had an appraisal recently and I am starting my Diploma level three. Last year we didn't have regular supervisions because there were a few changes of manager".

A visiting doctor told us that the quality of care had started to improve following the recent appointments of the manager and the deputy manager.

Is the service caring?

We found that people's dignity and right to privacy were respected. We spoke with staff who told us that they: "Always knock on a person's door" and: "Call the resident's by the name they want to be called by". People who used the service told us that staff were respectful to them.

We found that although staff were familiar with the needs of the people they were caring for, people were at risk of inappropriate care, treatment and support as a result of poor care planning and inadequate assessments. We have asked the provider to tell us what actions they are going to take to meet the requirement of the law in relation to providing people with care that is safely planned and delivered.

Is the service responsive?

An activity programme was displayed in the home, and activity organiser hours had been recently increased. We were told by staff that they were trying to improve the activity programme, but there wasn't enough time to provide the one to one sessions that people needed. People using the service told us that the programme was limited and one person said: "They usually just sing songs, but if there were things like discussions I might join in".

Is the service well led?

A manager and deputy manager had recently been appointed to the home. They both acknowledged that there was "A lot of work to be done to bring the home up to the required standards". We spoke with both of these staff who told us that they were committed to their roles and that they would ensure that standards and the quality of care for the people living in the home would improve under their leadership, direction and guidance.

Accidents and incidents were monitored and post accident reviews were completed after 24hours. Monthly audits were completed and analysed for trends by the provider's compliance team.

A health professional's survey had been completed in May 2014. We saw a comment from one health professional that: "Over the last couple of months there has been a positive change in the way the home is run".

We looked at care records for three people and other supporting documents for the service. Staff told us: 'I always check what help they want, it's their choice'.

People's needs had been assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. Staff told us they were aware of each person's needs and how to give care and support to meet those needs. People told us that the staff who worked at the home: 'Are nice and helpful'.

We saw that people appeared comfortable with the staff that supported them. We saw that staff knew individuals well and were kind and caring in their approach to people who lived at the home.