CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Biffins Care Home
Rated Requires improvement: inspectors found the home was not performing as well as it should and told it what to change.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Biffins Care Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with improvements needed to activities, menus and parts of the environment.
This was an unannounced planned inspection by two inspectors on 11 November 2019. They spoke with five people, one relative, five staff members and two visiting professionals. They reviewed care, medicine and recruitment records, along with records about how the home was managed.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicine practices, suitable training and detailed care plans. People and relatives described staff as kind, respectful and caring.
There were some areas to improve. Parts of the building looked tired, meal choices needed review and some people wanted more activities. The provider sent plans for environmental work and kitchen improvements after the inspection.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and saw staff respond promptly. Medicines were stored, given and disposed of safely.
“Medicines were received, stored, administered and disposed of safely.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff were warm, patient and respectful. They supported people's independence and took time to talk with them.
“Throughout our visit staff interacted with people or sat with them and chatted.” from the report
Personalised care plans
Care plans included people's physical, mental, emotional and social needs, as well as their preferences and communication needs.
“People's care plans were person centred and detailed, covering key areas such as people's physical, mental, emotional and social needs” from the report
Responsive management
The manager was visible and approachable. The service used audits to identify improvements and acted on some issues during and after the inspection.
“The registered manager completed a range of audits to assess and monitor the quality of the service.” from the report
Uncontrolled hot water area
seriousThe utility room's hot water was not controlled and the room was not locked during the inspection. Inspectors said supervision reduced the risk, and the provider said this was planned to be addressed.
“The water temperature in the utility room was not controlled and this area was not locked.” from the report
Meal choices
needs fixingSome people had complained that some meals were not enjoyable. Inspectors recommended reviewing the menu to give people more choice and control.
“We recommend the registered manager reviews their menu options to give people more choice and control.” from the report
Limited activities
needs fixingSome people said there was not much to do, with television being a main activity. Inspectors recommended a more varied programme of activities and events.
“We recommend the registered manager seeks advice and guidance from a reputable source, about providing a more varied programme of activities and events.” from the report
Tired décor
minorSome parts of the environment needed repair, updating or redecoration. The provider supplied an action plan with target dates, and urgent work had been completed or planned within four weeks.
“Some areas of the environment required remedial work to update the décor of the service.” from the report
Survey results not yet reviewed
minorThe latest satisfaction survey had been sent out but had not yet been analysed or responded to at the time of inspection.
“The survey for this year had recently been sent out, and the registered manager had not yet analysed or responded to the results.” from the report
- 01What changes have been made to the menu since inspectors recommended giving people more choice and control?
- 02What activities are now available for people who said there was not much to do?
- 03Has the utility room hot water been controlled and the room secured?
- 04Which environmental repairs and decoration works in the action plan have been completed?
- 05What did the latest satisfaction survey show, and how did the home respond to it?
This was an unannounced planned inspection covering all five CQC questions, and the home was rated Good in each one. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 December 2019 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, May 2017
Biffins Care Home: Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with effective management.
This was an unannounced inspection on 24 April and 2 May 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, staff and a health and social care professional. They reviewed care files, staff records, training records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas. People were protected from harm, medicines were managed properly and there were enough staff. Staff were trained and supported, and people received suitable food, drink and healthcare.
Inspectors found staff to be kind and respectful. People were involved in decisions about their care, care plans were updated, activities were available and complaints were handled appropriately. The home remained Good since the previous inspection and met all relevant fundamental standards.
Safe staffing and medicines
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and a robust recruitment process. Medicines were given as prescribed, with staff training and competency checks.
“We carried out a random check of the medication system and observed a medication round.” from the report
Trained and supported staff
Staff received a wide range of training, regular supervision and appraisals. They were also supported to gain care qualifications.
“People were cared for by well trained staff.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People said staff treated them with dignity and kindness. Inspectors saw compassionate care and support for people's independence.
“People told us they were treated with dignity, respect and kindness by all staff and we saw kind and compassionate care being delivered throughout our visits.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans described people's preferences, likes and dislikes, and were reviewed when needs changed. People could choose their routines and activities.
“Care plans had been regularly reviewed and updated to reflect people's changing needs.” from the report
Effective oversight
The home used regular audits, surveys and meetings to monitor quality and identify improvements.
“The care manager carried out a monthly self-audit to check on a range of areas such as the environment, staffing, infection control, health and safety and dignity.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How will you assess and regularly review my relative's care needs and preferences?
- 02How do you make sure medicines are given safely and on time for each person?
- 03What activities would be available for my relative's interests, faith and daily routine?
- 04How many staff are usually on duty, and how do you respond when someone needs extra help?
- 05How would you involve my relative and our family in care decisions and complaints?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions, with the home retaining its previous Good ratings. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 May 2017 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 Biffins Care Home
3 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 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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Most charge £960 to £1,200 a week. 44 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
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