Riverwell Beck Care Home

Updated 26 May 2022

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

The inspection was carried out by an inspector 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

Blackwell Vale 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. Blackwell Vale is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received since the since the service became registered with CQC on 10 October 2020. We sought feedback from the local authority, professionals who work with the service and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

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 11 people who used the service and contacted 10 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 11 staff across a range of roles including managers, nurses, care workers, housekeeping, catering and administration. We also contacted 23 staff by email for their views.

We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. We also viewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

Updated 26 May 2022

About the service

Blackwell Vale Care home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 60 people. The service provides support to older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 44 people using the service.

The home is set out over two floors in an older, purpose-built building. The first floor accommodated people living with dementia-related conditions. The ground floor accommodated people who have general nursing and personal care needs.

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

People praised the staff for their care and kindness. Staff were friendly and engaging. People received personalised care from staff who knew how to support each person in the way they preferred. The service was run in the best interests of the people who used it.

Staff made sure people were treated with dignity and respect, and their independence was promoted. People’s individuality was valued and their decisions were respected.

The service was safe. Risks to people’s health and safety were managed without compromising their independence. Medicines were managed in a safe way. Safe infection control and prevention practices were followed. People and staff had regular testing for COVID-19. Staff received training in the appropriate use of PPE. We saw staff followed current government guidance.

The home was clean and comfortable. The premises were undergoing extensive building and refurbishment. Safety measures were in place to make sure this did not impact the people who lived there.

There were enough staff to make sure people received safe care. Staff were trained and supported to carry out their job. Staff said there was a good culture in the home and said the registered manager was encouraging and supportive.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff assisted them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service upheld this practice.

People, relatives and staff said the service was well-run and praised the management style as open and approachable. People had information about how to raise issues and said they were confident about discussing anything with the registered manager.

The provider and registered manager carried out regular checks of the safety and quality of the service. The provider was committed to continuous improvement of the service and had made some positive changes to the service.

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 10 October 2020 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement, published on 7 March 2020.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.

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.