CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Brant Howe Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- People were protected from abuse, risks were assessed, staffing was sufficient and infection control was well managed. Inspectors noted limited records for some 'as required' medicines and that fire-safety improvements were still underway.
- Effective?
- Good
- People's needs were assessed before they moved in. Staff were trained and supported, people received suitable food and drinks, and the home worked with health and social care professionals.
- Caring?
- Good
- Staff treated people with kindness, patience and respect. People were involved in decisions, and staff supported their choices, dignity and independence.
- Responsive?
- Good
- Care was tailored to people's routines, needs and preferences. People had activities and visits, knew how to complain, and had support with communication and relationships.
- Well-led?
- Good
- The home had systems to monitor quality and address shortfalls. People, relatives and staff described the management as visible, approachable and supportive.
What inspectors found, September 2021
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found kind, safe care, with some medicines records and fire-safety work needing attention.
This was a planned inspection over three days. Two inspectors observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals, and checked care records, recruitment files, training records, medicines, staffing, fire safety and other documents.
The home was rated Good overall and Good in each of the five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People said they felt safe and were happy. Inspectors saw kind interactions and found enough trained staff, good infection control, suitable care planning, activities and effective management.
There were some matters to improve. Records for some medicines given 'as required' did not explain clearly when they should be used. Some fire-safety improvements were still underway, and some care-plan reviews lacked detail. The home was asked to improve these areas, but no regulations were breached.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and were happy with the service. Relatives had no concerns about their family members' safety.
“People told us they felt safe and were happy with the service they received.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw warm, friendly interactions. Staff knew people's preferences and supported their dignity, choices and independence.
“Staff treated people with care, patience and kindness.” from the report
Food and health support
The home offered meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day, while monitoring nutrition and seeking healthcare advice when needed.
“Meals, snacks and drink choices were offered throughout the day.” from the report
Activities and relationships
People could take part in activities suited to their interests, including outdoor activities and trips. Staff also supported contact with families and visitors.
“Activities were tailored to people's needs, choices and preferences.” from the report
Staff training and support
Staff received induction, training and supervision. New staff said trial days helped them understand the role and build confidence.
“The provider made sure staff had a range of appropriate training, supervision and support to carry out their role effectively.” from the report
As-required medicine records
needs fixingSome records did not clearly explain when certain medicines should be given. The report recommended individual protocols for people who could not make these decisions themselves.
“However, we noted in some cases, records around 'as needed' medicines were limited.” from the report
Outstanding fire-safety work
needs fixingA programme of kitchen and fire-safety improvements was still in progress. Most work had been completed, but some remained outstanding.
“Although we noted a large amount of the work had been completed, the registered manager said the programme had been frustrated by the unavailability of contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic.” from the report
Care-plan review detail
minorSome reviews of care plans did not contain enough detail. A new recording system was introduced during the inspection.
“Sometimes the recording of these reviews lacked detail.” from the report
- 01What individual protocols are now in place for medicines given 'as required', and how are staff told when to use them?
- 02Has all the outstanding kitchen and fire-safety improvement work been completed?
- 03How do you now make sure care-plan reviews contain enough detail when a person's needs change?
- 04What activities and community visits are currently available, and how are they matched to each person's interests?
- 05How will you support my relative if they need nursing care, as the home does not provide nursing care?
This was a planned inspection covering all five key questions, including infection prevention and control under Safe; the previous overall rating was Good in 2018. This explanation was written from the published report of 25 September 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.
What inspectors found, October 2018
Brant Howe Residential Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, caring support with a wide range of activities.
This was an unannounced, comprehensive inspection on 14 August 2018. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, staff, managers and a health professional. They observed care and checked care, medicines, staff and safety records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines practice, clean and well-maintained surroundings, and good links with health professionals.
People were treated with kindness and respect. Their privacy, independence, choices and relationships were supported. The home offered varied activities and involved people and relatives in care planning and reviews.
The home had remained Good since the previous inspection. Inspectors noted some features of outstanding care, based on what they saw and the very positive feedback received.
Enough trained staff
Inspectors found sufficient staff to meet people's needs. Staff training and development were ongoing.
“There were sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff to meet people's needs.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
Staff supported people's dignity, privacy and independence. Inspectors observed a sensitive and caring approach.
“People were treated with respect and their dignity and privacy were actively promoted by the staff supporting them.” from the report
Activities and choice
People could choose from a varied programme and take part in activities independently or with support.
“There was an excellent and meaningful range of activities made available.” from the report
Good oversight
Management used checks and reviews to monitor safety, quality, accidents and incidents.
“Auditing and quality monitoring systems were in place that allowed the service to demonstrate effectively the safety and quality of the provision.” from the report
As-needed medicines plans
minorInspectors said written plans for medicines given when needed could be developed further, so their use was clearer and more effective.
“We discussed with the registered and deputy manager the use of written plans or protocols that outlined when to administer extra, or as required, medication (PRN) and how these could be further developed” from the report
- 01How have you developed the written plans for extra or as-needed medicines since this inspection?
- 02How do you check that each person's medicines are given safely and as prescribed?
- 03How is the new electronic care planning system being checked for accuracy and completeness?
- 04How are relatives involved in regular care plan reviews and decisions about treatment?
- 05What activities and community outings would be available for my relative based on their interests and abilities?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering the overall service and all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 16 October 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 Brant Howe Residential Home
3 rated inspections over 6 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2021Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 9 September 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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9 live-in carers within about an hour of Westmorland and Furness
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8 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
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