CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Balmain Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective arrangements for visitors, PPE, testing, cleaning and infection prevention. They were only somewhat assured about shielding and social distancing because some people did not always follow the guidance.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Balmain Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong COVID-19 controls, with some social distancing not always followed.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 28 January 2021. It focused on infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than the full range of care provided.
Inspectors found systems for managing infection risks. Visitors had to follow checks, handwashing, PPE and social distancing procedures. Staff had extra infection control training, PPE supplies were sufficient, and regular whole-home testing took place.
Inspectors were somewhat assured about shielding and social distancing because some people did not always follow the guidance. The home had an up-to-date infection control policy, but inspectors signposted resources to help develop its approach.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or a rated score for the Safe question.
Visitor infection checks
There was a clear process for visitors. They were given instructions, PPE and health checks before entering the main part of the building.
“All visitors to the service were asked to walk through a 'Sanitising Tunnel', wear PPE, have their temperature checked, wash their hands and complete a verbal health declaration before they would be allowed to enter the main part of the building.” from the report
PPE and staff training
Staff had extra infection control and PPE training. Inspectors saw staff using PPE properly and found sufficient supplies.
“There were sufficient stocks of PPE available and staff were seen to be wearing PPE appropriately.” from the report
Testing and cleaning
People and staff took part in regular whole-home COVID-19 testing. Cleaning was increased for frequently touched areas.
“Cleaning schedules and procedures had been enhanced to include more frequent cleaning of touch points such as handrails and light switches.” from the report
Updated procedures
The home had COVID-19 policies and procedures that were reviewed and updated in line with guidance.
“The provider had developed specific COVID-19 policies and procedures which had been reviewed and updated where necessary in line with the latest guidance.” from the report
Social distancing
minorInspectors observed that some people did not always follow social distancing guidance. The manager and staff were trying to support and encourage people to follow it.
“However, it was evident from our observations that some people living at the service did not always choose to follow their guidance.” from the report
- 01How do you currently support people to follow social distancing guidance?
- 02What infection prevention and control resources or improvements did you put in place after inspectors signposted further resources?
- 03How often are people and staff tested now, and what happens when someone tests positive?
- 04What checks must visitors complete before entering the home?
- 05How often are high-touch areas such as handrails and light switches cleaned?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic; it did not rate the service or assess the other four CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 February 2021 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, January 2020
Balmain Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some recording needed for best-interest decisions.
Inspectors visited on 29 November and 6 December 2019. The first visit was unannounced and the second was announced. They spoke with 13 people, nine staff members and five professionals, and reviewed care, medicines, staff and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines systems, kind interactions and care that supported people's choices, independence and access to the community.
There was one shortfall. Some decisions about a person who lacked capacity, including storing and issuing cigarettes, were not fully recorded through the best-interest process. Inspectors recommended that all such decisions should be recorded properly.
The previous rating was Requires Improvement, published in January 2019. The report says improvements had been made and the home was no longer in breach of the regulations previously identified.
Safer medicines
The home had introduced an electronic medicines administration system. Inspectors found that trained and competent staff gave medicines safely and that audits were taking place.
“Since the last inspection the provider had purchased an electronic MAR system.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm and friendly interactions. Staff knew people well and respected their choices, privacy and dignity.
“We observed staff treating people with dignity and respect.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans described people's needs, risks and preferences. Staff supported people in different ways, including helping some people access the community while respecting others' wish to be alone.
“Care plans reflected identified risks, needs and care preferences for each person.” from the report
Support for independence
The home encouraged people to develop life skills and take more control over their lives. Inspectors saw examples of progress with personal hygiene, confidence and community access.
“People were supported as much as they wanted to be, to encourage further independence and develop their life skills.” from the report
Improved management checks
Quality monitoring had become more robust since the previous inspection. Managers carried out regular checks on care, records and the environment.
“Quality assurance processes were now more robust, and both system and local checks were regularly completed on all aspects of care and the environment.” from the report
Best-interest decisions not always fully recorded
needs fixingInspectors found gaps in the records for decisions made for a person who lacked capacity, including the decision to store and issue cigarettes. The home was asked to ensure the best-interest process was properly recorded.
“However, not all decisions had been appropriately assessed and the best interest procedure followed.” from the report
- 01How are best-interest decisions recorded, especially where restrictions or limits on a person's choices are involved?
- 02How would you assess and review a person's capacity and best interests if they needed support with smoking or another daily choice?
- 03How does the electronic medicines system show whether medicines were given, missed or changed?
- 04How would you support my relative to develop independence and access local community facilities?
- 05How are families involved in reviewing care plans and raising concerns or complaints?
This was a planned inspection that looked at the care provided and the premises, and gave ratings for all five key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 January 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Balmain Care Home
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2020Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2019Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- November 2017Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Plymouth
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
8 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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