The Belmar Nursing Home

Updated 27 August 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 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 two inspectors.

Service and service type

The Belmar Nursing Home is a ‘care home’ with nursing care. 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.

Registered Manager

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 on the first day.

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

During our visits to the home, we spoke with six people who used the service. We also spoke with 12 staff, including the registered manager, nurses, carers and domestic staff. Following the inspection visits, we spoke with two health professionals to gain their feedback about the service.

We looked around each area of the home to make sure It was safe, homely and suitable. We spent time observing the care and support people received. This helped us to understand the experience of people who could not or chose not to speak with us.

We reviewed six people’s care records and multiple medicines administration records, along with associated medicines documentation. We observed medicines administration and checked how medicines were stored.

We reviewed a range of records related to the management of the service, including safety certificates, policies, procedures and quality assurance systems.

Updated 27 August 2022

About the service

The Belmar Nursing Home is an adapted building, registered to provide care for up to 44 people with a mental health condition, dementia or substance misuse. At the time of our inspection 32 people were receiving care and support at the home. Care is provided over three floors, with single occupancy bedrooms, communal areas and gardens.

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

The provider had made improvements to the premises since our last inspection. We have made a recommendation about continuing to improve the premises.

Staff managed people’s medicines well and kept the home clean and tidy. Staff managed risks well and had plans to follow in case of emergencies. The service had systems to protect people from the risk of abuse and improper treatment.

The service met people’s nutritional needs and worked with them to make sure food provision also reflected their preferences. Staff supported people with their healthcare needs and worked well with external healthcare professionals. People were cared for by staff who were well supported and had the right skills and knowledge to meet their needs effectively, following good practice guidance.

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 treated well, with kindness and compassion by staff who respected their privacy and dignity and promoted inclusion. The service supported people to be independent. We received positive feedback about the caring approach of staff.

The service put people at the heart of the care they received. Staff identified people’s needs and preferences and worked to ensure people were happy with the care they received. The service made sure people were supported to communicate and planned activities to enhance people’s wellbeing.

The service was led by a registered manager who was described as approachable, well-organised and caring. The culture at the service was open and inclusive. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities. The provider monitored the quality of the service using a range of systems.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 6 January 2021).

The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.

At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

This inspection was carried out to follow up on action we told the provider to take at the last inspection.

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.