Background to this inspection
Updated
13 January 2022
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns we had about environmental risk management and staffing.
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.
Service and service type
Brook View is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and we sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with nine members of staff including the regional director, head of health and safety, manager and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
13 January 2022
About the service
Brook View is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 28 adults with complex nursing needs. The service can support up to 32 people.
Brook View supports people across four units, which each have their own communal living areas and single occupancy bedrooms with en-suite facilities. There is a shared secure garden, main kitchen and laundry.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were not always being safely supported to take their medicines. People felt safe and well cared for by staff. Suitable processes and checks were in place to recruit staff. We have made a recommendation about reviewing staffing levels to ensure there are enough staff to meet people’s needs. There were systems in place to ensure equipment and premises were appropriate for use. The registered manager would investigate accidents and incidents to enable lessons to be learnt.
People’s needs were assessed and they were supported to access health care services as needed. Staff had received relevant training and support to perform their roles. People enjoyed mealtimes and dietary needs were being met for people with specific requirements. 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.
Staff were kind and caring and respected people’s privacy and choice.
People’s care and support plans were personalised to meet individual needs and positive risk taking and choice was supported. People felt able to raise concerns and felt confident that any issues would be addressed.
People spoke positively about the registered manager and staff felt well supported in their roles. There were systems of oversight and quality checks and work was ongoing to drive improvement and ensure lessons were learnt.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 09 August 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
We undertook a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about how medicines were being safely managed and personalised care was being provided. We inspected and found there was a concern with how medicines were being managed so we widened the scope of the inspection to become a comprehensive inspection which included all five key questions.
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.
We have found evidence that the provider needs to make improvements. Please see the safe section of this full report.
You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
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 a breach of regulation in relation to how people were being supported to take their medicines safely.
Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
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.