CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bernash Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that people's risks were identified and reviewed, medicines were given safely and infection control arrangements were effective. They also found enough staff and thorough recruitment checks.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this visit. Its previous rating was used to calculate the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found visible and effective management, clear responsibilities, regular audits and systems for learning from incidents and improving care.
What inspectors found, March 2023
Bernash Care Home is rated Good; inspectors found safe care, enough staff and effective management.
This was an unannounced inspection on 16 March 2023. One inspector spoke with people living at the home, a relative, staff, a team leader and the registered manager. They also observed care and checked records about risks, medicines, recruitment, maintenance and quality checks.
The home was rated Good overall. Safe and Well-led were both rated Good. Inspectors found that risks were assessed and reviewed, medicines were managed safely, infection control was effective and there were enough staff. People told inspectors they felt safe.
Inspectors also found clear management arrangements, regular audits and a stable staff team. The home worked with health and social care professionals. The overall rating stayed Good, as it was at the previous inspection published in February 2020.
Only Safe and Well-led were inspected during this visit. The ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive were not reassessed and the previous ratings were used in calculating the overall rating.
Enough staff
People and staff told inspectors staffing levels were good. The inspector saw staff present and providing the care people needed.
“There were enough staff to support the needs of people. We observed the staff were visibly present, providing people with the appropriate care and support they needed.” from the report
Safe medicines
Medicines were well organised, stored safely and given as prescribed. Records of medicines given or refused were accurate and detailed.
“Medicine systems were well-organised, and people received their medicines safely and as prescribed.” from the report
Risk and fire safety
Personal risks were assessed and reviewed. The home also had equipment checks, fire drills and emergency evacuation plans for each person.
“Risk assessments contained clear guidance on how to reduce harm to people and to keep them safe.” from the report
Strong management oversight
The registered manager had a visible presence and was supported by team leaders. Regular audits covered medicines, care records, health and safety, infection control and the environment.
“There was good oversight of the governance systems in place.” from the report
Working with other services
The home worked with health and social care professionals, including GPs, district nurses and specialist teams, when people needed support.
“The home worked proactively with health and social care professionals to ensure people received good care.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and review my relative's individual risks if their mobility, skin condition or nutritional needs change?
- 02How do you check that medicines are given correctly, including medicines prescribed only when needed?
- 03How do you review falls and other incidents, and what changes have you made as a result?
- 04What staffing levels will be in place for my relative's needs, including when staff are absent?
- 05How will you keep relatives informed about how their family member is settling and about any changes in their care?
This was an unannounced focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other three ratings were carried over from the previous inspection and used to calculate the overall rating. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 March 2023 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, February 2020
Bernash Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care across all five areas.
This was an unannounced inspection on 3 December 2019. One inspector spoke with staff, relatives and health professionals, observed care, and checked care, medicines, recruitment and management records.
The home was rated Good for Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found trained staff, safe medicines systems, detailed care plans, good links with health professionals and activities suited to people's needs.
The report says this rating was unchanged from the previous inspection, published in April 2017. Good means the inspectors found that people were safe, supported and treated well, and that the home was managed effectively.
Stable staff team
The home had a consistent staff team with no agency staff. Inspectors said staff knew people's needs, routines and preferences very well.
“There was a very consistent staff team and no use of agency staff.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's likes, dislikes, life histories, communication needs and preferences. Families were involved in reviewing them.
“Care plans were very person centred and detailed about each person.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed warmth and kindness between staff and residents. Privacy and dignity were respected in bedrooms and during personal care.
“Staff were observed at all times communicating with people in very caring and very respectful way.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People took part in music, games, pamper sessions and visits from community groups. The home also supported contact with relatives and friends.
“People were well supported to develop and maintain relationships and to take part in activities that were socially and culturally relevant.” from the report
Quality checks
The home used regular audits and reviews to monitor care, medicines, accidents, safety and records. Inspectors said action was taken when improvements were needed.
“The quality checking system being used was based on our five key questions we use when we inspect services” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How do you make sure the stable staff team remains large enough to meet each resident's changing needs?
- 02How often will my relative's care plan and risk assessments be reviewed with our family?
- 03How will you support my relative to choose activities and communicate their wishes?
- 04How are medicines errors, accidents and incidents reviewed, and how are families told about them?
- 05What support can families expect if their relative needs end of life care?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five rating areas, including the premises and the care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 February 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 Bernash Care Home
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2020Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 May 2016.
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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
40 live-in carers within about an hour of Bristol, City of
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 £1,300 a week. 34 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“She became a good friend to my mother in law, chatting with her, dancing with her, knitting with her and the list goes on”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.