Smithy Bridge Court

Updated 3 August 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

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and 2 Experts 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

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

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 not a registered manager in post. A new manager had been in post for 4 months and had submitted an application to register. We are currently assessing this application.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

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 10 staff including the manager, the deputy manager, the lead for nursing care and clinical practice, 2 clinical leads (who were nurse qualified), the activities coordinator, a senior carer, the physiotherapist and 2 care staff. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. We reviewed 8 people’s care plans and associated information including medicines records. We spoke with 10 people using the service and 1 visiting relative. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, auditing and governance records were reviewed.

Updated 3 August 2023

About the service

Smithy Bridge Court is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for to up to 51 people. The building has 4 different floors. The lower ground floor has 6 beds for females only and an assisted living kitchen; the upper ground floor has 18 beds; the first floor has 17 beds for males only and the second floor has 10 beds. All bedrooms are ensuite, and all floors have shared lounge and dining areas. There are several landscaped garden areas including a sensory garden. At the time of our inspection there were 44 people using the service.

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

Systems in place helped safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Assessments of risk and safety and supporting measures in place helped minimise risks. Staff managed people’s medicines safely. Staff followed infection prevention and control guidance to minimise risks related to the spread of infection. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and managers recruited staff safely.

Care plans included information about support required in areas such as nutrition, mobility and personal care to help inform care provision. Staff made appropriate referrals to other agencies and professionals when required.

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.

People told us they were well treated, and their equality and diversity respected. People felt staff respected their privacy and dignity and took into account their views when agreeing on the support required. Staff identified people’s communication needs and addressed these with appropriate actions.

The provider and manager responded to complaints appropriately and used these to inform improvement to care provision. The provider was open and honest, in dealing with concerns raised. The manager was available for people to contact, and managers undertook regular quality checks, to help ensure continued good standards of care.

The provider and manager followed governance systems which provided oversight and monitoring of the service. These governance systems and processes ensured the service provided to people was safe.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 31 May 2022).

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.

For those key questions not inspected, we used the ratings awarded at the last inspection to calculate the overall rating. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Smithy Bridge Court on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

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