CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Bull Point House & Annex
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, January 2020
Rated Good overall; inspectors found outstandingly caring support, strong person-centred care and safe management.
This was an unannounced inspection on 17 December 2019. One inspector spoke with people living in the home, relatives, staff and professionals. Records about care, medicines, staffing and management were also checked.
The home supported five younger adults with personal and nursing care. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines systems, regular risk reviews and good links with health professionals. People were supported to make choices, build daily living skills and become more independent.
Caring was rated Outstanding. Safe, effective, responsive and well-led were each rated Good. The overall rating stayed Good, while the caring rating improved from Good at the previous inspection.
Kind and respectful staff
People were treated with dignity and staff made sustained efforts to understand what mattered to each person.
“People were supported by staff who were exceptionally committed, caring and creative in finding ways to make them happy and support them.” from the report
Independence and choice
People helped with everyday tasks and were supported to make choices, learn skills and take positive steps towards greater independence.
“People were involved in the day to day running of the service, helping with cooking, shopping, admin tasks and environmental checks.” from the report
Safe care
Risk plans were reviewed, staff were trained and medicines records were complete. The home had enough staff to meet people's needs.
“There were enough staff to meet the needs of people.” from the report
Personalised support
The home adapted its building, communication and support around individual preferences and needs.
“Care plans were detailed, and person centred.” from the report
Strong management
Managers were visible and quality checks were used to identify and address issues. Staff and outside professionals spoke positively about the home's leadership.
“Quality processes were very robust.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How would you assess and support my relative's emotional, physical and social needs before they move in?
- 02What specialist training would the staff supporting my relative have, particularly around autism, mental health or positive behavioural support?
- 03How would my relative be involved in decisions about their care, daily activities, food and personal space?
- 04How would you support my relative to develop independence and take positive risks safely?
- 05How would you keep our family informed and respond if we raised a concern or complaint?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five CQC questions and both the premises and care; end of life care was not assessed in detail. This explanation was written from the published report of 31 January 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, June 2017
Bull Point House & Annex was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some parts of the building needing updating.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 15 May 2017. Inspectors met three people living there, observed how staff supported people and spoke with a relative, a healthcare professional and staff. They also reviewed care plans, medicines records and quality checks.
The home was rated Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough staff, safe medicines practice, suitable risk assessments and staff who understood people's needs. People were supported to make choices, use healthcare services and take part in activities.
Inspectors saw patient and kind staff who knew people well. Care was personalised, communication methods such as pictures were used, and complaints were investigated. Some areas of the building, including one unused communal room, needed repair or modernising.
The home was still rated Good, the same as at the previous inspection. The report says the February 2015 inspection found no concerns about the care provided.
Safe staffing and risk support
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs and support activities and trips. Risk assessments helped people remain as independent as possible while reducing risks.
“There were sufficient numbers of staff to keep people safe and make sure their needs were met.” from the report
Kind, respectful relationships
People had built strong relationships with staff. Inspectors saw a calm atmosphere and staff who were patient, kind and respectful of privacy.
“We observed staff being patient and kind.” from the report
Personalised communication and care
Staff used pictures, symbols and other communication methods to help people express choices. Care plans included people's likes, dislikes and behavioural needs.
“Staff used appropriate communication tools to ask people questions and people had photos/symbols to help them communicate decisions.” from the report
Choice and activities
People were supported to choose food, make day-to-day decisions and take part in activities and trips that matched their interests.
“People took part in a variety of activities inside and outside of the service.” from the report
Parts of the building needed updating
needs fixingSome areas had not been decorated or updated for some time. One unused communal room needed extensive ceiling repairs, and the manager said discussions were taking place with the owner.
“Some areas of the environment of the home required updating and modernising.” from the report
- 01Have the areas needing modernising been updated since this inspection, including the outside of the building?
- 02Has the communal room ceiling been repaired, and is the room now safe to use?
- 03How will my relative communicate choices, discomfort or concerns if they do not communicate fully verbally?
- 04How are positive behaviour support plans kept up to date and used by new or agency staff?
- 05What activities, trips and support for family contact are available for my relative?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, based on observations, discussions and records reviewed on 15 May 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 23 June 2017 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 Bull Point House & Annex
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- January 2020Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 January 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 Plymouth
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.
8 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
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.