Northhill Care Home

Updated 6 July 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention 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

The inspection was completed by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Northhill Care Home is a ‘care home.’ People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Northhill Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the provider registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and six relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the provider, registered manager, deputy manager, senior care assistant, care staff, activities coordinator, domestic staff and kitchen staff. We made observations throughout the inspection to help us understand the experience of people, including those who were unable to tell us their view.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment, along with the provider’s supervision and training records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance audits, were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 6 July 2022

About the service

Northhill Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care up to 28 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received safe care, but there was scope to make the service safer. All incidents in the home were logged and investigated and learnt from where appropriate. However, manager oversight of incidents was not always robust. We have made a recommendation about monitoring incidents. Infection prevention procedures were well-established, and the home was clean and tidy. We found some difficult to reach areas in the home, such as the undersides of furniture and appliances, had not been cleaned for a long time. The registered manager was responsive to our feedback to ensure the service was running as safe as possible.

Staff knew people well and understood how to support people who were distressed or showing signs of being anxious. Care files provided information about people’s needs and how they wished to be cared for. We have made a recommendation about the recording in people’s end of life care plans. The provider had switched to an electronic care planning system and was in the process of finalising the transfer of information from the previous paper-based files.

The provider had adapted the environment to promote choice and autonomy for people living with dementia. This included sensory boards or ensuring rooms were accessible and clearly marked. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The meal experience was positive overall, and people were offered a choice of meal options. However, the meal experience could be further improved, for people living with dementia, if other communication methods were attempted to better support them to a make decisions for themselves.

A quality assurance system was in place, including audits carried out by the registered manager and provider. Action plans were written and signed off when completed. Complaints were responded to appropriately. People were supported to take part in a range of activities and planned events at the home.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 3 June 2022 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service, under the previous provider, was good overall (published on 4 July 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

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.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.