Blackthorns

Updated 10 March 2023

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

This inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors 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

Blackthorns 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. Blackthorns 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.

Inspection activity started on 9 February 2023 and ended on 22 February 2023. We visited the location’s service on 9 February 2023 and 16 February 2023.

What we did before the inspection

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 the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people and 11 people’s friends, relatives or advocates to gain their views about the service. We observed care and support provided to people in communal areas. We spoke with 13 members of staff including care workers, care team leaders, kitchen staff, domestic cleaners, the maintenance person, the wellbeing lead, the deputy manager, the registered manager and the regional operations director. We also sent out a survey and received 5 staff responses which we reviewed. We spoke with 2 professionals who work with the service for their feedback. We reviewed a range of documents, including care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, audits, policies and procedures.

Updated 10 March 2023

About the service

Blackthorns is a residential care home providing personal care to up to 62 people. The service provides support to people with physical disabilities, sensory impairments and to people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 44 people using the service.

The care home accommodates people across 6 different wings, with a range of different shared spaces and facilities. At the time of inspection, one wing was not in use, which was on a lower level. This meant everyone was living on the same floor.

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

Whilst agency staff were employed at the service, action had been taken to reduce the impact on continuity of care. Staffing levels and deployment were observed to be safe. Recruitment checks were carried out on staff to ensure they were appropriate for the role. Medicines were managed safely, and potential risks were assessed and mitigated. We were assured in most areas of infection prevention and control. Safeguarding measures were effective.

Staff received training, supervisions and appraisals. The service worked well with other agencies to ensure people had timely access to healthcare as required. Some improvements were in progress towards ensuring care planning was consistently detailed and person-centred, including for people new to the service. Meals were appetising and well presented.

Staff were caring, respectful and kind, and the management team lead by example to instil a positive and open culture. People were supported to maintain their independence and treated with dignity.

Referrals were promptly made to services such as the dietician, district nurses and the speech and language team [SALT]. People were supported to engage in leisure activities and positive 1 to 1 interaction, including those people cared for in bed. A complaints log was in place but could benefit from further development to show analysis of themes and trends to drive improvement. Support was provided to people at the end of their life.

There was a new registered manager in post since the last inspection, who was committed to continuous improvement of the service to make a difference in people’s lives. We have made a recommendation about developing a service improvement plan which sets out these aims and ambitions. Some oversight systems and processes needed refining and embedding to show longer term oversight. The service worked in partnership with other stakeholders.

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

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 12 June 2019).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.