Burrows House

Updated 30 October 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 review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service had been identified for use by the Local Authority as a designated care setting in response to the Winter Plan for people discharged from hospital with a positive Covid-19 status. This inspection was to ensure that the service was compliant with infection control and prevention measures.

This inspection took place on 23 October 2020 and was announced.

Updated 30 October 2020

This inspection took place on 24 May 2018 and was unannounced.

During our last inspection in May 2017, we found that improvements were needed as prescribed medicines were not stored securely. We found that Medicine Administration Records (MAR) for topical creams were either not signed or not completed as soon as the medicines were administered. We also found that the providers quality assurance systems had not picked up the issues we found at that inspection. At this inspection we found that the provider had acted to address these issues.

Burrows House is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing, or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. Burrows House accommodates up to 54 people. There were 47 people living at the home at the time of our inspection.

There was a registered manager in place, who was supported by a deputy 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.

People told us they felt safe. There were appropriate whistleblowing and adult safeguarding procedures in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Staff understood the types of abuse that could occur and the action to take if they had any concerns. Risks to people were assessed, identified and safely managed. The home had a system in place to record accidents and incidents and acted on them in a timely manner. Medicines were stored, administered, managed safely and accurate records were maintained. People were protected from risk of infection as staff followed practices that reduced the risk of infection. There were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs in a timely manner and the provider followed safe recruitment practices.

Staff received an induction when they started work at the home and were supported through regular training and supervisions so that they were effectively able to carry out their roles. People's needs were assessed prior to moving into the home to ensure their needs could be met. The registered manager and staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff told us they asked for people’s consent before offering support. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and had access to healthcare professionals when required to maintain good health.

People told us staff were caring, considerate and respected their privacy, dignity and independence. They said staff involved them in making decisions about their daily care and support requirements. People were provided with information about the service when they joined in the form of a 'service user guide' so they were aware of the services and facilities on offer.

People’s care plans were reflective of their individual care needs and preferences and care plans were reviewed on a regular basis. A variety of activities were on offer and available for people to enjoy and take part in. People were aware of the home’s complaints procedures and knew how to raise a complaint. People's cultural needs and religious beliefs were recorded and they were supported to meet their individual needs. Where appropriate people had their end of life care wishes recorded in care plans.

The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Regular staff and residents' meetings were held and feedback was also sought from people about the service through annual surveys. Staff were complimentary about the registered manager and the home. The provider worked in partnership with the local authority to ensure people’s needs were planned and met.