Mill Hayes

Updated 18 May 2023

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 carried out by 1 inspector 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

Mill Hayes is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Mill Hayes 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 provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

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 received about the service since the last inspection. 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 sought feedback from the local authority, and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who used the service and 2 relatives about their experiences of the care provided. We spoke with 8 members of staff including the head of operations, registered manager, team leaders, care staff, the administrator and maintenance staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care records and multiple people's medication records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 18 May 2023

About the service

Mill Hayes is a care home providing care and support to autistic people, people with a learning disability and people with mental health needs. At the time of our inspection, 7 people were living in the home. The service can support up to 7 people. People were accommodated in 1 adapted building, there was a self-contained living area for 1 person, other people shared communal rooms, a conservatory, and a large garden. There was a large kitchen downstairs and a smaller kitchen upstairs for people to use.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

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

Right Support:

Medicines were managed in a way which promoted people’s independence and focused on STOMP principles (stopping over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both). However, there were a couple of discrepancies between the stock levels and paperwork. The provider responded straight away and improved systems, training and quality processes to improve medicine monitoring.

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.

People personalised their home and bedrooms. People were supported in a safe, clean and well-maintained environment. The environment was designed to meet people's sensory and physical needs, whilst making it feel homely.

Staff were recruited safely. There were enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people's needs and keep them safe. Staff received training in autism and learning difficulties. Staff knew people well and could tell us about each person's support needs and preferences.

The provider reviewed all accidents and incidents which occurred in the home. Lessons learnt from incidents were shared with the staff team and relevant agencies in order to learn from them.

Right Care:

People told us they had choice and control over their own lives. Staff encouraged people to make their own decisions and take positive risks. People said they were confident to raise concerns with staff and the management team.

People and relatives told us staff respected people’s privacy and respected their individuality at all times.

Care plans were holistic and clearly monitored people’s physical, emotional and mental health needs. People were supported to attend medical appointments and staff encouraged people to follow the recommendations put forward by health professionals.

People were encouraged to develop their skills, independence and take part in new experiences. People attended workshops to increase their awareness of monitoring their own health.

Right Culture:

The culture of the service was open and transparent. The risks of closed cultures were discussed in staff meetings to raise awareness and reduce the risk of a closed culture developing.

People and staff told us the registered manager was a great leader. A leader who focused on the rights of the people using the service and encouraged innovative approaches and new ideas.

People, relatives and staff felt included in the service and told us they could raise concerns and make suggestions freely. People were encouraged to be involved in all areas of the home and their preferences were respected.

The provider worked in partnership with other health and social care professionals to ensure people received the appropriate level of care and support.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

This service was registered with us on 27 August 2021 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 01 October 2019).

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns we had received about incident management, closed cultures and medication errors. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe and well led sections of this full report.

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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Mill Hayes on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

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