Braeside Care Home

Braeside Care Home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 36 people. During this inspection, 18 individuals were using the service. The report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) offers an overview of the home's performance across key areas, highlighting both strengths and areas requiring attention to ensure the best possible care for residents and peace of mind for their families. This summary aims to provide a clear, accessible picture of the inspection's findings.

Regarding safety, while staff are trained to identify and report safeguarding concerns and risks are generally well managed with necessary health and safety checks completed, there are notable issues with medication management. This includes inconsistencies in administering 'when required' medicines, recording doses, and ensuring correct storage, which places residents at increased risk.

In terms of how effective the care is, residents' needs are assessed and person-centred care plans are in place, with many residents expressing satisfaction with the support received. However, there are significant concerns about compliance with the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, with records not always updated and staff lacking awareness of specific authorisations and conditions.

When considering how caring the service is, staff are described as patient, caring, and responsive, with residents feeling safe and well-supported by them. The home also ensures residents' nutritional needs are met, and they are supported to access healthcare professionals.

Looking at how responsive the service is, while people feel they can raise concerns and are listened to, and visitors are made to feel welcome, improvements are needed in how residents are supported to have maximum choice and control in their lives, as policies and systems did not always fully support this practice.

Finally, concerning how well-led the service is, there have been positive changes in management and provider oversight, with improved communication and staff feeling supported. However, robust quality monitoring systems are not consistently in place to identify issues, and some maintenance work has been delayed, indicating a need for further development and embedding of governance processes.