Bramley Court Care Home

Bramley Court is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 76 people. It specialises in supporting older people and people with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 61 people living at the home. The home is divided into four separate smaller units within the building. Each unit has its own lounge and dining areas and access to a garden area.

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

The provider had ensured all staff received appropriate training regarding the use of restraint. People’s medicines were safely managed. People were protected by the prevention and control of infection. Clear care plans and risk assessments were in place for all people to guide staff. Staff were recruited safely. The provider had a robust system in place to manage incidents affecting people’s safety.

Assessment of people’s needs were carried out. People’s assessed needs and preferences were reflected in their care plans. People were cared for by a staff team who had received regular and appropriate training specific to their needs. Staff prepared foods in line with people’s preferences. Care records demonstrated staff worked with healthcare professionals involved in people’s care. Where people had specific treatment needs, they were referred to the relevant healthcare professionals in good time. There was a lack of support for people with dementia to help them find their bedrooms. The registered manager had ensured people’s capacity was regularly assessed. We observed staff seeking consent from people when providing care.

The registered manager had ensured staff were completing lateral flow device (LFD) tests for COVID-19. The registered manager had ensured people’s individual risk from COVID-19 was considered. The registered manager had ensured all staff had a COVID-19 risk assessment in place. People and their relatives told us they felt listened to and the registered manager was approachable. Staff told us the home was a collaborative and supportive environment. People and their families were engaged in the running of the home. Regular meetings were held with people living in the home, giving people the opportunity to share their views.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 25 January 2022). At our last inspection we recommended the provider facilitated additional staff training and make improvements to their record keeping. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulation.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about safeguarding issues. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the safe, effective and well-led sections of this full report.

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.

Follow up

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

Bramley Court Care Home is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 76 people. It specialises in working with older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 73 people living at the home. The home is divided into four separate smaller homes within the building, each has its own lounge and dining areas and access to a garden area.

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

Guidance and training for staff for the use of low-level restraint for people was limited. This meant there was a risk people could be subject to unnecessary or inconsistent use of restraint. Relatives whose loved ones were sometimes supported with low level restraint told us they felt it was used in a safe and proportionate way and we did not see any evidence that people had been harmed.

People were not always supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff did not always support them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service did not always support this practice.

Relatives told us they felt happy with the care their loved ones received and that people were safe. One relative said; “We appreciate that their priority is to care for people and keep them safe.”

We found improvement was needed to some aspects of risk management to reduce COVID-19 transmission risk. Relatives told us they were happy with safety checks to ensure visiting was managed safely and they felt the home was very clean. One relative told us; “There are no smells there, no concerns, it is spotless.” People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff.

Relatives told us and we saw staff were caring and kind to people. One relative said; “I would never move [my loved one] from here, she has wonderful care.”

People’s care plans were person centred and tailored to their needs. People were encouraged to take part in a wide range of hobbies and interests. Relatives told us they were impressed with the range of opportunities for people and told us they were consulted about what their loved ones enjoyed doing. One relative said; “They asked me what her hobbies were and what music she likes.” People were supported in a variety of ways to stay in contact with their loved ones during the pandemic.

Relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager and the management team. They told us the registered manager was supportive and easy to contact if needed. One relative told us; “If I had any concerns I would speak to the manager, she is very good.”

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 under the previous provider Zest Care Homes Limited was good (report published 1 June 2019).

Why we inspected

This was the first inspection under the new provider name Bramley Court Care Homes Limited. The inspection was promoted in part due to concerns received about safeguarding issues. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.

Enforcement

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to discharge our regulatory enforcement functions required to keep people safe and to hold providers to account where it is necessary for us to do so.

We have identified breaches in relation to safe monitoring and appropriate training for the use of low-level restraint and insufficient risk management and assessment of COVID-19 transmission risk at this inspection.

Full information about CQC’s regulatory response to the more serious concerns found during inspections is added to reports after any representations and appeals have been concluded.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.