Blackmoor

Updated 12 January 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 Care Act 2014.

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.

On day 1 of the inspection, the inspection team comprised of 2 inspectors and 1 special advisor (SPA) who in this instance was a mental health nurse. One inspector arranged to return on a second day to follow up on information.

Service and service type

Blackmoor 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. 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 six weeks and had submitted an application to register. We are currently assessing this application.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before 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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We met with 1 person who used the service and spoke to another person by telephone. We also spoke with 4 relatives. We spoke with 12 members of staff including home manager, a senior carer and 5 health care assistants, the clinical lead and an agency nurse. We also spoke with the catering manager, senior physiotherapist and an activities co-ordinator. We also spoke with 5 staff from the provider’s management team including the commissioning manager, the regional director of operations, the deputy head of mental health and behavioural support and the Quality manager. We received feedback from three health and social care professionals.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people's care records and 3 medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, surveys and meetings notes.

Updated 12 January 2023

Blackmoor is a care home providing personal care and nursing for up to 30 people. The service supported people with mental health conditions, physical disabilities and people living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, the service supported 14 people.

Blackmoor is a purpose-built care service with accommodation and facilities on three floors. At the time of the inspection only two floors were in use, however the provider was recruiting staff in preparation for opening the third unit based on the middle floor.

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

People and their relatives were happy with the service. Risks to people were assessed and staff were aware of the action to take to minimise risks. However, during the inspection we were made aware of an incident where the provider needed to take further action to mitigate a known risk to one person.

There were systems in place for medicine management, however improvements were required because we found issues in some recordings relating to the count of stock held. This had been identified by the provider and action was in process of being taken.

There were systems to monitor staffing levels and recruit staff safely. There were safeguarding procedures and staff and managers had a clear understanding of these procedures.

Infection control procedures had been updated in line with COVID-19 guidance to help protect people, staff and visitors from the risk of infection. Where incidents or accidents occurred, there was evidence of analysis completed to determine what measures could be put in place to improve people’s safety.

People’s needs were assessed prior to them using the service. Staff received the training and support they needed to carry out their role safely and effectively, including specific training to support people’s healthcare needs. People were supported to eat a balanced diet and said food was of a good quality.

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 were supported to take part in some activities and work was ongoing to collect more information from people regarding how they wished to spend their time and activities they would enjoy.

The provider had systems to monitor the quality and safety of people’s care and an action plan was in place to address areas identified, for example, medication management. However, not all areas found in the inspection had been identified and it was acknowledged by the provider that further improvements were required in some areas including those identified in this inspection.

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 26 July 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the safe care and treatment. A decision was made by us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.