CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Briarscroft Residential Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and managing infection risks, including through PPE, testing, hygiene, social distancing and outbreak arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not covered by this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2021
Briarscroft Residential Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection prevention and control.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 27 January 2021. Inspectors were responding to concerns about infection control and prevention measures.
The inspection found good practice. Staff used masks and visors, had COVID-19 and PPE training, and used separate staff groups for different units. The home also had a visiting pod, testing arrangements and support for video and phone calls.
Inspectors were assured about the prevention and control of infection, including PPE, testing, visiting, hygiene, social distancing and managing outbreaks. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give a full overall quality rating.
PPE and staff training
Staff wore masks and visors and had training in COVID-19 and using PPE safely.
“All staff wore masks and visors in line with current government guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).” from the report
Safer visits
The home had a visiting pod and an outside testing and screening station, so visitors could avoid entering the main home.
“The provider had installed a visiting pod so visits to people who lived at the home could take place safely.” from the report
Contact with families
People could use video and phone calls to stay in touch with family and friends. Wellbeing assistants also provided individual time.
“Video and phone calls were utilised to promote people's communication with family and friends.” from the report
Separate staff teams
Staff were allocated to particular units to reduce the spread of infection. Extra staff were added when people had to isolate in their rooms.
“Staff were cohorted and allocated to each of the zoned units within the home to minimise the risk of spreading infection throughout the home.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visits currently arranged, including screening, testing and use of the visiting pod?
- 02How do you make sure staff use PPE correctly and receive updated infection control training?
- 03How are staff allocated between units if there is an infection outbreak or someone needs to isolate?
- 04How do people keep in contact with family and friends if an in-person visit is not possible?
- 05What information can you provide about caring, effective, responsive and well-led care, which this inspection did not assess?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control under Safe; the other key questions were not inspected and no full service rating was given. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 March 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, September 2019
Rated Good; inspectors found kind, safe and improving care, with some paperwork and care-review improvements still needed.
This was an unannounced inspection on 7 August 2019, completed on 19 August. Inspectors spoke with people living at the home, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals. They also reviewed care records, medicines records, staff files and management records.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were treated with respect, supported to stay safe, helped to make choices and given appropriate support with medicines, food, activities and healthcare.
The home had improved since the previous inspection in August 2018. It was no longer in breach of regulations. However, inspectors said paperwork for some Mental Capacity Act assessments needed to improve, and feedback about involvement in formal care reviews was mixed.
Safety and medicines
People were supported by staff who understood their risks. Inspectors found that medicines were given at the right time and records were checked.
“Records showed people received their medication at the right time.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People told inspectors they were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Staff supported people to remain independent and make everyday choices.
“People told us they were treated with dignity and respect.” from the report
Activities and purpose
The range of activities had improved. Inspectors saw people enjoying activities and noted new facilities, including a shop, cinema room and sensory room.
“People, relatives and staff all told us there had been an improvement in the activities provided.” from the report
Improvement since the last inspection
The provider had acted on the previous inspection findings. Inspectors found the home was no longer in breach and had quality checks and an improvement plan.
“At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.” from the report
Mental Capacity Act paperwork
needs fixingThe manager understood the Mental Capacity Act, but records did not consistently show the required assessments. The manager said this would be discussed with the provider after the inspection.
“Improvements could be made in the provider's paperwork to record assessments to ensure the principles of the act were promoted consistently.” from the report
Involvement in formal care reviews
needs fixingSome relatives said they were involved when care plans changed, but other people said they were not involved in care planning. A new system had recently been introduced to give each person an opportunity to discuss their care.
“We had mixed reviews about how people were involved in formal reviews of their care.” from the report
- 01How do you now record Mental Capacity Act assessments and best-interest decisions?
- 02How are residents and relatives involved in formal care-plan reviews?
- 03What improvements from the home's improvement plan have been completed since this inspection?
- 04How do you check that medicines are given at the right time and that records remain accurate?
- 05What activities are currently available, including for people living with dementia?
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating and covered all five CQC questions, including the care provided and the home itself. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 September 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 Briarscroft Residential Care Home
5 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has improved, from Requires improvement to Good.
- March 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at Briarscroft Residential Care Home →
- September 2019Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at Briarscroft Residential Care Home →
- August 2018Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- June 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- April 2017Requires improvementstayed Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- December 2016Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: Requires improvementResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 2 August 2012.
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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