Updated 2 April 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: The inspection was carried out by one inspector 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 [older people and those who have a dementia related condition].
Service and service type: Berwick Care Home is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.
Notice of inspection: The inspection was unannounced.
What we did: Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service. We also used feedback received from the local authority.
The registered manager completed a Provider Information Return. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
During the inspection we checked the following records: Three people’s care plans, one staff recruitment file, information relating to staff training, audits and quality assurance reports.
We spoke with 10 people and nine relatives. We also spoke with the nominated individual, the registered manager, the peripatetic manager from the management company, the clinical lead, the deputy manager, six care staff, one senior care worker, two housekeeping staff and the administrator. We also spoke with two members of staff on night duty to find out how care was delivered at night. We contacted the community matron for nursing homes to find out their opinion of the service.