CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Blossom Fields
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were generally protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, medicines, recruitment and infection control were managed safely, although night staffing was increased after a concern about one person being supported by one staff member instead of two.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed and staff received training and supervision. People had enough food and drink and access to health professionals, although inspectors found that serving pudding with the main meal on the dementia floor was not good practice and this was corrected immediately.
- Caring?
- Good
- People were mostly treated with kindness, dignity and respect and were encouraged to remain independent. Two people reported recent concerns about their care, which managers investigated and addressed.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care plans reflected people's needs, preferences and life histories. There were regular group and one-to-one activities, community links and support for people living with dementia.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Managers were approachable and quality monitoring systems were in place. However, there was no overall improvement plan bringing together all areas identified through audits, and the new provider had not yet sent surveys to people, relatives and staff.
What inspectors found, June 2023
Rated Good overall, although the home fell from Outstanding after a change of provider and management, with some improvements still being put in place.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 24 May and 7 June 2023. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health professionals. They also reviewed care, medicines, staffing, training, recruitment and quality records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were generally safe, received kind and personalised care, had enough food and drink, and could take part in activities and community links.
There were some shortfalls. Night staffing was increased after a concern about one person being supported by one member of staff instead of two. The new provider was still introducing its systems, including surveys, an overall improvement plan and some building improvements.
The previous inspection, published in January 2019, rated the home Outstanding. This report says the home was no longer Outstanding, but it met the standards for a Good rating.
Risk and medicines
Inspectors found that risks were assessed and managed, and medicines were stored, given and checked safely.
“People received their medicines safely. Medicines were stored, ordered, administered, and disposed of safely.” from the report
Personalised care
Staff got to know people as individuals and supported their preferences, interests and independence.
“Staff took the time to get to know people and promoted their interests.” from the report
Activities and community links
The home offered group and one-to-one activities, entertainment, church services and opportunities to visit local places.
“People were supported to participate in regular group and individual activities.” from the report
Food and health support
People had food and drink choices, monitoring where needed, and access to GPs and other health professionals.
“People at risk of malnutrition and dehydration were monitored and encouraged to eat and drink.” from the report
Night staffing concern
needs fixingA person reported being supported by one member of staff at night instead of two. The manager increased night staffing from five to six, so there were two staff on each floor.
“In response the registered manager reviewed the night staffing numbers and increased the staffing from 5 to 6.” from the report
Quality improvement planning
needs fixingThe home did not have one overall improvement plan bringing together issues found through audits. Some planned refurbishment had no timescale.
“However, there was no overall improvement plan for the service bringing any areas for improvement together from the audits completed.” from the report
Dementia area signs
minorInspectors found limited signs and no memory boxes to help people find their bedrooms in the dementia area. Managers said this was planned for improvement.
“There was limited signage and no memory boxes which help people to find their bedrooms in the dementia area of the home.” from the report
Feedback surveys
minorThe new provider had not yet sent surveys to people, relatives and staff. A provider representative said this would be completed in August 2023.
“The new provider had yet to send people, relatives, and staff a survey that they could use to make any necessary improvements.” from the report
Recent care concerns
needs fixingTwo people reported recent incidents where they were unhappy with their care. Managers were investigating and liaising with the people and their families.
“Two people shared with us about recent incidents where they were not happy with their care and support.” from the report
- 01How are you checking that there are two staff on each floor at night?
- 02How is the new dependency tool being used to decide staffing levels?
- 03What is the timescale for replacing or refurbishing tired bedroom furniture?
- 04When will clearer signs and memory boxes be added in the dementia area?
- 05Have surveys now been sent to people, relatives and staff, and what changes will follow from the results?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 June 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, January 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured the home had safe infection prevention and control during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 10 December 2020. It was carried out because of a coronavirus outbreak and looked at infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found good practice. They were assured that the home used personal protective equipment safely, followed shielding and social distancing rules, arranged testing, and had plans to manage outbreaks. Staff received infection control training and regular checks were made.
The home kept families updated about relatives who had tested positive. People received prompt medical attention, and the home worked effectively with health professionals. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full quality rating.
Family communication
Families were kept informed about relatives who had tested positive, with further updates shared with all families each week.
“Additionally, weekly updates were provided to all families to offer reassurance and share any news.” from the report
Management support
The provider responded to the outbreak by adding experienced nursing and management support and maintaining oversight while the registered manager was shielding.
“The provider had acted promptly to ensure an increased, safe management team and oversight.” from the report
Health professional support
People received prompt medical attention, and the home worked with health professionals on treatment and end of life care.
“People continued to receive prompt medical attention when they became unwell and relationships with health professionals remained very effective during these difficult, sensitive times.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are PPE use, hand hygiene and infection control practice checked now?
- 02How will you update our family if a resident tests positive or there is another outbreak?
- 03How are testing and isolation arrangements managed for residents, staff and new admissions?
- 04Who is currently responsible for the home’s management and clinical oversight?
- 05How do you work with GPs and other health professionals when a resident becomes unwell or needs end of life care?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a coronavirus outbreak; it did not provide ratings for the other four key questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 January 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.
Every inspection of Blossom Fields
3 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has slipped, from Outstanding to Good.
- June 2023Goodcurrent ratingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- January 2019Outstandingstayed OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- August 2016OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- July 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 22 July 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of South Gloucestershire
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 £1,280 a week. 32 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“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.