Background to this inspection
Updated
16 October 2021
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection prevention and control measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
Two inspectors completed the inspection.
Service and service type
Seymour House (Hartlepool) Limited is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager who is registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the provider, registered manager, deputy manager, two nurses, two support workers and the cook. We observed how staff interacted with people using the service.
We are improving how we hear people’s experience and views on services, when they have limited verbal communication. We have trained some CQC team members to use a symbol-based communication tool. We checked that this was a suitable communication method and that people were happy to use it with us. We did this by reading their care and communication plans and speaking to staff or relatives and the person themselves. In this report, we used this communication tool with two people to tell us their experience.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records, medicine records and three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
16 October 2021
About the service
Seymour House (Hartlepool) Limited is a care home which can provide nursing and personal care for up to 20 people who live with mental health conditions. At the time of this inspection there were 18 people living at the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were protected from harm as risks had been assessed and plans put in place to mitigate these. Improvements had been made to the assessment and support plans. However, staff needed to ensure they clearly detailed any restrictions and the legal framework in place to support them. The registered manager needed to ensure staff fully understood and consistently applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and associated code of practice.
Care staff, in general, adhered to COVID-19 guidance on working in a care setting. We raised the need to ensure supplies of PPE were available at more points throughout the service. The deputy manager immediately ensured PPE was made at both entrances of the home.
There were enough staff on duty and staff were recruited safely. There had been some staff turnover recently and the provider was actively recruiting permanent staff.
People told us they were treated with kindness. People told us the care was safe and, overall, they were happy at Seymour House. Staff were dedicated and committed to providing an effective service.
People were protected from abuse by staff who understood how to identify and report any concerns. Medicines were managed safely.
Staff had received mandatory and condition specific training. Staff supervision sessions were completed.
People were receiving nutritious meals, but some people felt these could be a bit repetitive at times. Work is in progress to develop a more rehabilitation focus and a skills kitchen was being created.
Staff worked closely with local healthcare professionals and commissioners. These good working relationships ensured people received care and treatment in a timely manner.
The provider had ensured the governance arrangements were used to critically review practices within the service. We received positive feedback about how the service was managed.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 6 December 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions safe, effective and well-led which contain those requirements. The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Seymour House (Hartlepool) Limited on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.