Bourne Bridge House

Updated 26 September 2020

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.

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

This inspection took place on 28 August and was announced. The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

Updated 26 September 2020

Bourne Bridge House is a residential home which provides care for people living with profound learning disabilities and/or autism. Some of the people cared for at the home also have physical disabilities. The home is situated in a rural setting about four miles from the village of Witheridge in mid Devon. The home is a converted three-sided farmhouse which surrounds a fully enclosed courtyard garden. The original property has been split into four accommodation units, three of which are two storeys. Office accommodation is provided within the main building.

At the last inspection, carried out in August and September 2015, the service was rated good overall, although we found that the home needed to make some improvement to ensure people were kept safe. We found a breach of regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 because some risk assessments and care plans were not fully up to date.

At this inspection we found the service remained good. The service had made improvements to their care records and these now reflected people’s risks, needs and preferences. Care plans described how staff should support people to meet their needs. There were detailed personal descriptions of people and the care they required. Staff were very knowledgeable about people and were able to communicate with them in a number of different ways. This included using sign language as well as recognising each person’s body language. Daily notes in care records showed that staff followed the care plans, which were reviewed regularly.

People were relaxed and happy with staff, laughing and chatting with them. Staff knew people’s histories and families well. Staff showed real care and compassion to support people maintain relationships with their relatives. This included accompanying them to other parts of the country to go to family events as well as supporting people at times of bereavement.

People experienced effective care that promoted their health and wellbeing. Medicines were administered safely. Staff worked with health professionals to ensure people received the care and treatment they needed in a timely manner. People were kept safe by staff who understood their responsibilities to safeguard vulnerable adults.

The home had been adapted to ensure people with different support needs were provided with private spaces and independence. Food was freshly prepared and people were encouraged to have meals of their choice. People were also supported to have sufficient drinks to keep them hydrated. People were involved in activities both in the home and in the community. People’s preferences and abilities were taken into account when supporting them to enjoy their daily lives.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager was supported by a deputy manager. Both of them worked closely with staff and people in the service. There were sufficient staff who had been recruited safely. Staff were supported with training, as well as supervision whilst working at Bourne Bridge House.

There were policies and procedures in place which ensured the smooth running of the service. The service worked within the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.