Bridge House Residential Home

Updated 4 November 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The 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.

Service and service type

Bridge House is a ‘care home.' People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Bridge House is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 10 people who used the service and two visitors. We also spoke with seven members of staff including the area manager, registered manager, care staff, kitchen staff, housekeeping and activity staff. We also spoke with a visiting nurse.

During the inspection visit we looked at the management of people’s medicines and reviewed support plans. We also looked at areas of health and safety, infection control and staff recruitment. Additional evidence, sent to us electronically, was reviewed remotely. These included; policies and procedures as well as information to evidence management and oversight of the service.

Updated 4 November 2022

About the service

Bridge House is a residential care home providing personal and support for up to 30 people, some of whom live with dementia. Accommodation is provided over two floors, accessed via a passenger lift. All bedrooms are single with en-suite facilities. At the time of the inspection there were 30 people living at the home.

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

People and their visitors spoke positively about the care and support provided. People told us they were actively encouraged to follow activities of their own choosing. Activity staff provided a range of opportunities for people. Staff were said to be kind and respectful, this was supported by our observations.

Management systems were in place to monitor and review the standard of care and support provided. The views of people had been sought and acted upon. Any complaints and concerns were recorded and responded to, where necessary information was shared with relevant parties. No issues were raised us with by external agencies we contacted.

Sufficient numbers of staff were available throughout the day and night. Recruitment checks had been carried out when appointing new staff. Staff spoken with felt the team worked well together and were supported by the registered manager. A range of training and development opportunities were in place to support the team.

Care plans and risk assessments were available to guide staff on the care and support people wanted and needed. 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’s prescribed medication was managed safely. The service benefitted from good support in meeting the health care and medication needs of people from the local GP and supplying pharmacist.

We found the home to be clean and tidy. Internal and external safety checks were completed to the equipment and premises to help keep people safe. Redecoration was planned to enhance areas of the home.

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 good (published 5 December 2019).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to the management of the service and the recruitment of staff. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

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.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating.

The overall rating for the service has remained unchanged. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Bridge House Residential Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.