Archived: Beech Court

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home and extra care scheme 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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

We found the following examples of good practice.

Staff implemented safe visiting procedures, and this meant the risk of infections being brought into people’s homes was minimised. People were able to take risks they understood such as, accessing the community.

Alternative arrangements were in place for visits if there was ever a COVID-19 outbreak. Checks and monitoring of standards of hygiene and infection prevention and control helped drive improvements and actions were taken to prevent recurrences or cross contamination.

Staff undertook COVID-19 testing as required by current guidance and self-isolated before attending a care call if any tests were positive. Checks were in place to monitor people’s and staff’s health and wellbeing. Additional communication methods, such as telephone calls, video calls, and the use of computer Apps helped increase contact with friends and relatives.

All staff, external health professionals and visitors, evidenced COVID-19 vaccination status, and evidenced a negative rapid COVID-19 test when required, before entering the service. The only exception to this was for emergency workers, to ensure no delay to the care and support people needed.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) was available in the service, and guidance for PPE usage was displayed. If needed, there were enough staff who could work in specific areas of the service to help prevent the risk of any potential cross contamination.

Staff ensured they wore PPE correctly, followed good IPC practices, washed hands correctly and used appropriate cleaning and sanitising products. Frequently touched areas, such as door handles, switches and handrails, received enhanced cleaning.

Beech Court is a domiciliary care service and extra care housing service. Staff at the service provided personal care to six people living either in flats at Beech Court in Littleport Ely; or to people living in their own homes within the local community at the time of the inspection. The extra care housing building Beech Court has sixty-five flats.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

Staff knew the people they supported well. There were enough suitably trained and knowledgeable staff to help support people’s care and support requirements in a timely manner. Staff had spot checks undertaken to review their competencies following their training. Staff had regular supervisions and appraisals. Staff were encouraged to undertake further qualifications should they choose to do so. Potential new staff to the service had a series of checks carried out on them to help ensure they were suitable to work with the people they supported.

People and their relatives told us the support from staff made them, their family member feel safe. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of how to keep people safe from harm or abuse. They also confirmed that they would report any concerns they may have to senior staff.

Staff had documented people’s end of life wishes and worked with external health professionals to try to make sure people have as dignified a death as possible.

Information in people’s care plans and risk assessments helped guide staff to care and support people safely. Although in places, they could be more detailed and person-centred. The registered manager was making this improvement. Staff supported people to take their prescribed medicines safely. Infection control practices in line with government guidance were in place to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Lessons were learnt and shared with staff when things went wrong or there was a risk of this.

People where required were supported by staff to have enough to eat and drink. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, activities took place in the communal areas of Beech Court should people choose to attend. Staff helped promote people’s privacy and dignity. Staff also encouraged people to be involved in decisions around their care. People felt listened to and their choices respected.

The registered manager and staff when required, would work with external health and social care professionals. This would make sure people received joined up care and support. No complaints about the service had been received, but people and their relatives felt they could raise concerns and be listened to. People, and their relatives were asked to complete surveys to feedback on the service provided. Staff could enable people to have information in different formats such as large print to help aid their understanding.

Guidance and legislation updates were sent to the registered manager by the providers quality assurance team. This helped support the registered manager and staff team to work with the most up to date guidance. Staff meetings were held to update staff on people’s care needs and provide updates on guidance and the organisation. Audits were undertaken to monitor the quality of the service provided. The provider also promoted organisational oversight of the service. Improvements found were added to a service improvement plan.

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.

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 the service under the previous provider was good, published on 21 January 2017.

Why we inspected

This is the first inspection since the new provider registered with the CQC on 1 July 2019.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.