A Brighton nursing home has been rated as good in an official inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The unannounced inspection took place at Birch Grove Nursing Home, in Stanford Avenue, Brighton, on Tuesday 16 May.
The home was good in every respect apart from being effective, with inspectors saying that it requires improvement in that area.
The CQC said: “Birch Grove Nursing Home provides personal care, accommodation and nursing care for up to 50 older people.
“On the day of our inspection there were 45 people living at the service, some of whom were living with dementia and chronic health conditions.
“At the last inspection (in) April 2015, the service was rated good. At this inspection we found some areas of practice that need improvement. However, the overall rating for Birch Grove Nursing Home remains as good.
“We will review the overall rating at the next comprehensive inspection where we will look at all aspects of the service and to ensure the improvements have been made and sustained.
“A registered manager was not in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service.
“Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
“The registered manager had left the service approximately four months previously and day to day management of the service was carried out by a new manager who had applied to register with the CQC.
“People were encouraged and supported to eat and drink well. There was a varied daily choice of meals and people were able to give feedback and have choice in what they ate and drank. Special dietary requirements were met, and people’s weight was monitored, with their permission.
“However, improvement was needed to the mealtime experience for people in some parts of the service.
“Staff continued to feel fully supported by management to undertake their roles. Staff were given training updates, supervision and development opportunities.
“People felt staff were skilled to meet their needs and provide effective care. However, we identified some areas of moving and handling practice that needed improvement.
“People told us they felt the service was safe. People remained protected from the risk of potential abuse because staff understood how to identify and report it.
“The provider continued to have arrangements in place for the safe ordering, administration, storage and disposal of medicines.
“People were supported to get their medicines safely when they needed it. Healthcare remained accessible for people and appointments were made for regular check-ups as needed.
“Staff considered people’s capacity using the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) as guidance. People’s capacity to make specific decisions had been assessed.
“People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
“The provider was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
“People remained encouraged to express their views and had completed surveys. Feedback received showed people were satisfied with the overall care and felt staff were friendly and helpful.
“People said they felt listened to and any concerns or issues they raised were addressed.
“The service had a relaxed and homely feel. Everyone we spoke with spoke highly of the caring and respectful attitude of the staff team which we observed throughout the inspection.
“One person told us: ‘They look after me so well here, they are terribly kind.’
“Another person said: ‘They [staff] do everything they can to make you happy.’
“People’s individual needs were assessed and care plans were developed to identify what care and support they required. People continued to be consulted about their care to ensure their wishes and preferences were met. Staff worked with other healthcare professionals to obtain specialist advice about people’s care and treatment.
“People and staff told us the management team continued to be approachable and professional.”
