CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Branch Court 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, March 2023
Requires Improvement in all five areas; inspectors found kind care and enough staff, but important risks, records and management systems were not reliable.
Inspectors visited on 7 and 8 February 2023. They spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They observed care, toured the building and checked care, medicines, staff and management records.
People generally said they felt safe and were happy with the care. Staff were kind and respectful, there were enough staff, the home was clean, and people received their medicines, food and health support. However, risks such as choking and uneven flooring were not always assessed or recorded. Some care plans and other records were out of date.
The home was rated Requires Improvement overall and in Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This means inspectors found some good care, but not enough consistent assurance that people's needs, safety, dignity and views were always being managed properly. The previous overall rating was Good in 2019.
Kind staff
Inspectors observed sensitive and caring interactions. People and relatives praised the staff team, and staff understood people's needs.
“We observed sensitive and caring interactions between people living in the home and the staff throughout the inspection.” from the report
Enough staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs promptly and safely. Recruitment checks were also in place.
“There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs in a timely way.” from the report
Clean home
The home had a good standard of cleanliness, and inspectors were assured that infection prevention arrangements were suitable.
“All areas of the home had a good standard of cleanliness.” from the report
Health and food support
People were supported with their dietary needs and access to healthcare. Healthcare professionals gave positive feedback.
“People were supported to access healthcare services and staff closely monitored their health.” from the report
New manager taking action
The manager was new in post and was working on improvements. The provider sent an action plan after the inspection.
“The manager was new in post and was working hard to make improvements to the service.” from the report
Risks not always managed
seriousSome risks, including choking and risks from uneven surfaces, had not been assessed or updated. This was a legal breach and could increase the risk of harm.
“Risks to people's health and wellbeing were not always assessed and monitored.” from the report
Weak records and checks
seriousCare plans, risk assessments and other records were not always accurate or current. Some audits had not been completed for several months. This was a legal breach.
“The provider had failed to operate effective systems to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service.” from the report
Building condition
needs fixingBathroom flooring, corridors and some bedroom surfaces were uneven, worn or damaged. The provider gave assurances that improvements would be made.
“The tiles in the bathroom and shower rooms were unsightly and uneven.” from the report
Mental capacity records
needs fixingThere were no recorded mental capacity assessments or best-interests decisions for 10 people with deprivation of liberty authorisations. Inspectors made a recommendation for improvement.
“Whilst 10 people had legal authorisations to deprive them of their liberty, there were no recorded mental capacity assessments or best interests decisions.” from the report
Limited involvement and activities
needs fixingPeople had few opportunities to give their views through residents' meetings or surveys. Planned activities were also limited.
“People were not always provided with opportunities to be engaged and involved in the operation of the service.” from the report
Complaints records
minorThe manager had detailed records for one complaint, but there were no records of complaints received during 2022. This makes it harder to see whether concerns were identified and learned from.
“The manager had investigated a complaint and had maintained detailed records, however, there were no records of previous complaints during 2022.” from the report
- 01Which choking risks and other personal risks have now been assessed, and how are staff told what action to take?
- 02Have the uneven bathroom and corridor surfaces, damaged flooring and worn areas been repaired?
- 03Are all care plans and risk assessments now reviewed whenever a person's needs change?
- 04Have mental capacity assessments and best-interests decisions been completed where needed?
- 05How are residents and relatives now asked for their views, and how often are meetings, surveys and planned activities provided?
This was a full inspection covering all five key questions, with infection prevention and control also checked; the previous ratings from 2019 changed from Good to Requires Improvement in every area. This explanation was written from the published report of 15 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, January 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control during a COVID-19 outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 10 December 2020. It checked infection prevention and control because the home had a COVID-19 outbreak.
Inspectors were assured that the home used protective equipment safely, followed shielding and social distancing rules, arranged testing, and kept the building clean. They also found up-to-date infection control policies and plans for managing an outbreak.
Visits were restricted to exceptional circumstances because of the outbreak and local restrictions. People were supported to keep in touch with relatives using social media and handheld devices.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give a Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate rating, and it did not assess all areas of care.
Protective equipment
Staff, management and visitors were using protective equipment correctly, with clear procedures for its use and disposal.
“Staff, management and visitors were using PPE correctly and there were robust procedures in place around the use of PPE.” from the report
Testing and infection controls
The home had regular testing arrangements, hand sanitiser and protective equipment throughout the building. Its processes were reviewed as guidance changed.
“The provider and registered manager had comprehensive processes to minimise the risk to people, staff and visitors from catching and spreading infection.” from the report
Support for wellbeing
People were helped to keep in contact with relatives and friends using social media and handheld devices.
“People's mental wellbeing had been promoted by use of social media and hand held devices so people could contact their relatives and friends.” from the report
Clean environment
Inspectors found the home clean and hygienic, with a designated cleaner.
“The home was clean and hygienic.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What are the current visiting arrangements, and what happens if there is another infection outbreak?
- 02How often are residents and staff tested now?
- 03How would the home separate areas and staff if there were widespread infection?
- 04How will the home support my relative to keep in contact with family if visits are restricted?
- 05When was the service last fully inspected across all five areas of care?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under the Safe question only; the service was inspected but not rated overall. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 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 Branch Court Care Home
4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- March 2023Requires improvementcurrent ratingSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- January 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- April 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2018Requires improvementdown from GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- July 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2016
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 16 February 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.
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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Blackburn with Darwen
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 91 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Primrose is a very kind and compassionate healthcare professional”
“She understands the needs of an elderly person in the early stages of dementia and has treated my mother with great kindness and skill.”
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.