CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Branthwaite Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and managing infections. They found arrangements for screening visitors, using protective equipment, testing and keeping the home clean.
- Effective?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This area was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, December 2020
Branthwaite Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control.
Inspectors made an unannounced, targeted visit on 20 November 2020. They looked specifically at infection prevention and control because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They found that the home was following government guidance. Visitors were screened, visiting restrictions and protective equipment arrangements were in place, and the home was clean and well maintained.
The home had arrangements for COVID-19 testing, staff training and checks on infection control. People were also supported to keep in touch with relatives using video calls.
This was not a full inspection of the home. The service was inspected but not rated, so the report does not give an overall quality rating.
Clean surroundings
Inspectors found the home clean and well maintained throughout.
“The home was clean and well maintained throughout.” from the report
Visitor safety
The home had a clear process for visitors, including symptom screening, protective equipment and social distancing.
“There was a clear system for visitors in place to ensure they followed the current guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distancing.” from the report
Testing and infection controls
The provider had arrangements for COVID-19 testing and carried out risk assessments for people and staff.
“The provider had arrangements in place to ensure people and staff were tested for COVID-19 in accordance with current government guidance.” from the report
Contact with relatives
People were supported to keep in touch with relatives through technology when visiting was restricted.
“The provider had ensured that people were able to maintain contact with relatives using technology.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently screened, and what protective equipment or social distancing arrangements are still required?
- 02How often are people and staff tested for COVID-19 or other infections, and what happens when a test is positive?
- 03How do you check that staff are using protective equipment and following infection control procedures?
- 04How can residents keep in touch with relatives if visiting is restricted?
- 05What are the arrangements for safe visiting during winter or during an outbreak?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control only; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 1 December 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.
What inspectors found, August 2019
Branthwaite Care Home was rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptional care, leadership and activities, with safety rated Good.
Inspectors visited over three days. The first day was unannounced and the next two days were announced. They spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and health and social care professionals. They also checked care plans, risk assessments, medicines records, training, policies and maintenance records.
The overall rating was Outstanding. Effective, caring, responsive and well-led care were all rated Outstanding. Inspectors found highly skilled dementia care, kind and patient staff, excellent activities, strong community links and very good end of life support.
Safe was rated Good and stayed at that level from the previous inspection. Inspectors found safe staffing, medicine systems, risk assessments, infection control and emergency arrangements. The first floor was described as tired and in need of improvement, although it did not present risks.
Dementia care
Staff understood people's individual needs and used skilled, person-centred approaches to reduce anxiety and support wellbeing.
“They work with some of the most complex cases that we have in this area. They have the Dementia Quality Mark which we have assessed for as they offer amazing dementia care.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors found a calm, welcoming culture. Staff knew people well and treated them with affection, dignity and respect.
“We can't imagine anywhere that he would have received better care or more affection.” from the report
End of life care
End of life care was a particular strength. Families were given information, involved in planning and supported throughout.
“They have an anticipatory approach, which is excellent. They don't leave things until later on when people are in a heightened emotional state.” from the report
Activities and relationships
Activities were varied and personalised. Staff offered individual time as well as group activities, outings and community events.
“The activities within this home is amazing and the coordinators are so passionate about the work they do.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What refurbishment has been completed or planned for the first floor since this inspection?
- 02How will you make sure activities remain personalised for someone who prefers to stay in their room?
- 03How are families involved in advance planning and decisions about end of life care?
- 04How do you keep staffing levels suitable when people's needs or behaviours change?
- 05How do you review medicines prescribed to be given when required or covertly?
This was a planned comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions; Safe stayed Good and the other four ratings improved from Good to Outstanding since the previous inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 August 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.
Every inspection of Branthwaite Care Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Good to Outstanding.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- August 2019Outstandingup from GoodSafe: GoodEffective: OutstandingCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- December 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 December 2010.
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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