Bowburn Care Centre

Updated 8 September 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 Act.

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 one inspector, a specialist nurse advisor 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

Bowburn Care Centre is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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 the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. 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. This is information providers are required to send us 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people, three relatives, one visiting healthcare professional and five staff, including the registered manager, regional manager, activities coordinator and care staff. We spoke with three more relatives over the telephone and contacted five more staff via telephone and email.

We observed interactions between staff and people in communal areas, including at lunchtime. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records and medication records. We looked at four staff files. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, training records, meeting minutes. We contacted four further health and social care professionals via telephone and email.

Updated 8 September 2022

Bowburn Care Centre is a residential care home situated in Durham. It provides accommodation and personal care for up to 80 older people. The service does not provide nursing care. At the time of our inspection 53 people used at the service, some of whom were living with dementia.

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

People were looked after safely in a home that had a welcoming, positive atmosphere. The registered manager had implemented and sustained a range of improvements to the service, which meant people received a better standard of care.

Staff worked together well to keep people safe. They understood their roles and worked hard as a team.

Risks to people's health and safety were assessed and regularly reviewed. These assessments were person centred and detailed.

The provider had safeguarding and whistleblowing training, policies and systems in place. Staff understood how to identify potential signs of abuse and were confident in the registered manager acting on any concerns.

Staff worked well with external partners to keep people safe.

The registered manager, regional manager and senior staff demonstrated good awareness and oversight of systems and process. Audits were effective.

The environment was well maintained and clean. The registered manager agreed that the outdoor space would benefit from being reviewed to ensure it better met the needs of people living with dementia.

Staff were recruited safely. Their competence was regularly assessed and they were supported to complete relevant refresher training.

Medicines were stored and administered safely by competent, experienced staff.

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.

Activities were varied and well planned. People’s individual cultural and spiritual needs were respected and acted on.

The registered manager led by example and was well respected by staff and external partners. Feedback from relatives and external specialists was positive regarding the leadership of 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

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 11 August 2021)

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.

Follow up

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