Birkdale Residential Home

Updated 27 March 2024

Date of assessment 16 May to 21 June 2024. This assessment was carried out following intelligence received indicating the location had improved after its inadequate rating at the last inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from inadequate to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection. Whilst we did see some improvements at the home, we found three breaches of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, safeguarding and governance. People were not safe as the provider had failed to take action to comply with fire safety regulations which placed people at risk of substantial harm. Equipment was not always adequately maintained. People's clinical risks were not always managed safely. The application of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and understanding of mental capacity was not always adequate to ensure people weren't at risk of being unlawfully restricted. Quality checks in place were not sufficient to ensure concerns were identified and there was not always sufficient oversight at the home. In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/or appeals have been concluded. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to some concerns found at this assessment. This service remains in special measures due to being rated inadequate in well led on two consecutive inspections. The purpose of special measures is to ensure that services providing inadequate care make significant improvements. Special measures provide a framework within which we use our enforcement powers in response to inadequate care and provide a timeframe within which provides must improve the quality of the care they provide.

Updated 27 March 2024

People were not always supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act which placed people at risk of being unlawfully restricted. People and relatives told us people were safe at the home. People and relatives told us they could raise concerns with staff and most felt these would be addressed. People told us they were involved in their care and were supported to access health professionals when needed although some concerns were raised regarding the lack of referrals to professionals when people needed foot care. Relatives told us staff knew people well and risks to people were generally managed safely. However, some relatives did raise concerns regarding people being provided with insufficient drinks and the hot temperature of the home. People and relatives told us the home was clean. Relatives told us there were sufficient staff to support people safely and people received their care in a timely manner. Relatives told us there had been instances of missed medicines and medicine administration errors. While the people we spoke to expressed that they were generally happy with their care, our assessment found elements of care did not meet the expected standards.