Brook House Care Home

Updated 4 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 23 February 2021 and was announced. The inspection was announced prior to us entering the home, so we could ensure that measures were in place to support an inspection and manage any infection control risks. We also asked the provider to send us infection prevention and control policies and audit findings.

Updated 4 March 2021

About the service

Brook House Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care and accommodation to 30 older people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 35 people in one adapted building over two floors. One area of the service specialises in providing care to people living with dementia.

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

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.

Staff knew their duty to report any incidents of harm or poor care. Staff used people’s risk assessments as guidance on how to monitor people’s identified risks whilst supporting people’s right to independence. Staff worked in conjunction with legislation, best practice guidance and information from health professionals across different organisations. This helped promote people's well-being.

Staffing levels were adequate to meet the care and support needs of the people living at the service. Medicines were safely managed. Staff knew the people they supported well. To develop their skills and knowledge staff received training, competency checks, supervisions and appraisals.

Staff encouraged people's food and drink intake. Staff promoted and maintained people's privacy and dignity. Staff had a good relationship with people and understood their individual needs and preferences.

We have made a recommendation about staff’s practices in promoting good infection control.

Trained staff were aware of infection control practices to reduce the risk of contamination but did not always follow these practices.

People and their relatives told us staff were caring. Staff kept people’s personal information confidential. People and their relatives told us they were involved in discussions about the care and that their preferences were respected. Staff were trained to support people on end of life care.

People told us if they had to raise any concerns they knew how to do so. Staff had positive comments about how approachable the registered manager was. Audits including organisational audits were carried out to monitor the service and address any improvements required. The registered manager notified the CQC of incidents that they were legally obliged to.

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 good (published 9 September 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.