CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Belamie Gables Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse and individual risks were assessed. Medicines, staffing, recruitment, fire safety and maintenance systems were judged safe.
- Effective?
- Good
- Staff were trained and supported, and people's health, nutrition and consent needs were addressed. One professional reported occasional delays in finding staff to help with transfers, although other professionals did not share this concern.
- Caring?
- Good
- People described staff as kind and patient. Inspectors found that people were treated with dignity and respect, and were supported to maintain important relationships.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans were personalised and reviewed regularly. Staff responded to people's changing needs and preferences, although some people said there were not always enough staff to prioritise activities.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The acting manager and experienced senior staff were described as supportive and approachable. There was no registered manager, but quality checks and improvement work were in place.
What inspectors found, February 2018
Belamie Gables Care Home: Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and personalised care, with some concerns about staffing, activities and the lack of a registered manager.
This was an unannounced inspection on 4 January 2018. One inspector reviewed records for six people, observed care, spoke with people, staff, managers and professionals, and received comments from relatives.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors said the home remained Good, as it had been at the previous inspection in February 2016.
Inspectors found people were protected from harm, received their medicines safely and had enough staff to meet their assessed needs. Staff were trained, kind and respectful, and care plans reflected people's needs and preferences.
The report also notes that there was no registered manager at the time. The acting manager was beginning the registration process. Inspectors also noted a tired environment, limited space and some mixed views about staffing and activities.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and well looked after. Safeguarding systems and risk assessments were in place.
“I am very satisfied that my [relative] and other residents are safe within Belamie Gables and are well treated.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors found staff to be patient, kind and respectful. People were supported with dignity and care.
“Staff are always kind and very patient with me.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans reflected individual needs, choices, communication methods and preferences. They were reviewed regularly.
“People had personalised care plans which ensured care was tailored to meet their individual and diverse needs.” from the report
No registered manager
needs fixingThere was no registered manager when inspectors visited. The acting manager had started the registration process and was supported by experienced senior staff.
“There had been no registered manager in post since they cancelled their registration at the end of September 2017.” from the report
Tired environment
minorInspectors found some parts of the environment looked tired and that space was limited. Refurbishment was being planned.
“The environment was 'tired' in places and space was limited.” from the report
Activities and staffing
needs fixingSome professionals, a complainant and staff said staffing levels did not always allow activities to be prioritised. The manager recognised this as an area for further improvement.
“Professionals, a complainant and some staff felt there were not always enough staff to prioritise the activities programme.” from the report
Occasional delays for professionals
needs fixingOne professional reported an occasional shortage of staff and delays when helping people transfer for private treatment. Other professionals said staff were always available when needed.
“One professional felt there sometimes appeared to be a shortage of staff and there was, on occasion, a delay in finding a staff member to help visiting professionals to transfer people to their bedrooms for private treatment.” from the report
- 01Has the acting manager completed the registration process, and who is currently responsible for the home?
- 02What staffing levels are normally provided during the day and at night, and how do you cover staff absence?
- 03What has changed to make sure activities and external outings are consistently provided?
- 04What refurbishment has been completed or planned to address the tired areas and limited space?
- 05How do staff support people who want to choose their own bedtime and daily routine?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and the overall rating, with the previous ratings from February 2016 reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 3 February 2018 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 Belamie Gables Care Home
3 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- February 2018Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- March 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015Inspected but not ratedSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2015Requires improvementSafe: InadequateEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2014
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 January 2014.
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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78 live-in carers within about an hour of Wokingham
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.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 71 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“I can truly say that Peter always put Dad at the centre of everything and I know that they found a great friendship in difficult times.”
“Not only has she looked after him beautifully, she has also been great company for him with lively conversation, kindness and humour.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.