Bonhomie House

This report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provides an overview of Bonhomie House, a residential care home. The inspection focused on assessing the quality and safety of care provided to its residents. It highlights areas of significant improvement since the previous inspection, addressing concerns related to leadership, care provision, and the overall culture of the home. The report details the findings across five key areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led, offering insights into the daily experiences of residents and the operational standards of the service.

Regarding safety, improvements have been made in medicine management and the environment, ensuring residents are safeguarded from abuse with well-trained staff. Regular maintenance keeps the premises safe, and robust recruitment processes are in place, supplemented by agency staff to maintain safe staffing levels. Infection prevention and control measures follow government guidance, and appropriate legal frameworks are used for residents' liberty. However, some relatives noted they learned about incidents only after they occurred, indicating a need for clearer communication in this area.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' care records are comprehensive, ensuring they receive tailored support. Staff receive thorough induction and ongoing training, keeping them updated with best practices. Kitchen staff are attentive to residents' preferences, and the home is undergoing refurbishment to further enhance the environment. Residents are encouraged to be as independent as possible and are supported in making choices about their lives in the least restrictive way. Despite positive progress in screening tools, one instance of incorrect weight entry meant a resident's weight loss was not immediately flagged.

The caring aspect of the service is reflected in the extensive plans for residents' well-being and activities. Residents are supported to engage with the local community and maintain independence where appropriate. Staff are described as having good knowledge of residents' needs and risks, working to minimise these. While residents are supported in making choices, one concern was raised about other residents providing alcohol to a resident, suggesting a need for enhanced vigilance around substance misuse within the home.

In relation to how responsive the service is, there is a wide range of plans for residents' health and well-being, encouraging engagement in daily activities. Residents are supported to access the community and encouraged towards independence. The service is managed positively, with an open-door policy for staff to access management. The provider is diligent in informing the CQC of significant events, and regular meetings ensure good communication with staff, residents, and relatives.

Finally, the well-led domain shows the service is managed in a way that supports staff to access management when needed. The provider is aware of its responsibilities and communicates significant events to the CQC. Regular meetings and surveys facilitate good communication with stakeholders, and relatives are involved in the key working system. The registered manager has identified areas for improvement, particularly in supporting individuals with active alcoholism and enhancing training in this specific area.