Background to this inspection
Updated
17 March 2022
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 CQC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on Wednesday 16 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one day notice of the inspection.
Updated
17 March 2022
About the service
Bablake House is a care home providing personal care to a maximum of 45 older people, younger people and people living with dementia within a large adapted building. At the time of our visit, 38 people lived at the home. This included six people in short term discharge to assessment beds (D2A) which are used to support timely discharges from hospital.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe and safeguarding procedures were in place to protect people. Staff knew how to manage risks, but guidance was not always in place to help them provide safe care.
People received their medicines when they needed them. However, we recommended the provider reviews their medicines policy to ensure it reflects best practice guidance and current legislation.
The management team had developed good working relationships with health and social care professionals and shared information when required to ensure people received the care and treatment, they needed to remain healthy and well.
Enough staff were on duty to meet people's needs and staff received an induction when they had started work to help them provide the care people needed. People and relatives had confidence in the ability of staff to provide effective care. Staff spoke positively about their training, but they had not received training to help them support people to manage some health conditions.
People spoke positively about the food and drinks provided and risks associated with eating and drinking were well managed.
The environment was clean and continued to meet people's needs. Areas in need of updating had been identified and plans were in place to make improvements. Staff practiced good infection control.
People liked the managers and had opportunities to feedback their views on the service they received. Staff enjoyed their jobs and understood what the provider expected of them.
The management team demonstrated commitment to their roles. Some action had been taken to strengthen quality monitoring processes to improve outcomes for people. However, some audits and checks required further improvement.
The management team understood their responsibility to be open and honest and lessons had been learnt when things had gone wrong.
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 13 June).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the quality and safety of the service people received including the management of some risks. As a result, a decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, effective and well-led only.
The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.