Working at Birch Tree Manor

Infection control had issues like missing COVID tests, staff not always wearing gloves and aprons, and dirty bathrooms or equipment, and some risks like choking or weight weren't checked properly.

COVID 19 weekly testing regimes were not always carried out in line with government guidance. Parts of the environment were not kept clean and hygienic and staff did not always wear the correct level of PPE. Risks such as choking, and weight monitoring was not always monitored appropriately.

Oversight and quality checks missed safety problems, and staff supervisions were done poorly with photocopied records and little feedback.

Governance and quality assurance procedures and processes were not always effective. They failed to identify issues we found in relation to risk management and IPC practices. Staff did not have access to an effective supervision system with supervision records duplicated using photocopy versions with little or no recorded discussions or feedback.

Staffing relies on quite a few agency workers so you often work with temps residents don't know well.

The home used a moderate volume of agency staff. Relatives told us that they felt there was a high number of staff they did not recognise.