Homestead House

Updated 18 January 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 07 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service three day's notice of the inspection.

Updated 18 January 2022

About the service

Homestead House is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 19 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 21 people in one adapted building.

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

There were not enough housekeeping staff to make sure all areas of the home were kept clean and free from offensive odours.

People were happy with the care home and the staff that provided their care. One person told us, “I like living here. It’s better than at home with no-one else, I’ve got company here.”

People felt safe living at the home. Staff had been trained, and cared for people in the way people wanted. Staff assessed and reduced risks as much as possible, and there was equipment in place to help people remain as independent as possible. There were enough care staff, and the senior staff also spoke with people regularly. The provider completed recruitment checks before new staff started work.

People received their medicines and staff knew how these should be given. Medicine records were completed accurately and with enough detail. Staff supported people with meals and drinks. They used protective equipment, such as gloves and aprons. Staff followed advice from health care professionals and made sure they asked people’s consent before caring for them. Adaptations had been made for people’s physical needs although there were no changes to meet the needs of people living with dementia. We have made a recommendation about consulting guidance for changes to the environment.

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 told us that staff were kind and caring, staff involved people in their care and made sure people’s privacy was respected. Staff worked well together and understood the home’s aim to deliver good quality care, which helped people to continue to live as independently as possible.

People knew who to speak with if they had concerns and staff dealt with these immediately. Staff kept care records up to date, although there was little personalised information about some health conditions and end of life care. We have made a recommendation about personalising care records. Staff engaged people in activities throughout the day, although they did not have the opportunity to continue previous interests. We have made a recommendation about developing activities for people living with dementia.

Systems to monitor how well the home was running were carried out. Concerns were followed up and action was taken to try to improve any issues. Not all actions were recorded and if issues continued, further action was not always considered. People were asked their view of the home and action was taken to change any areas they were not happy with.

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 requires improvement (report published 25 July 2018). The service remains rated requires improvement. This service has been rated requires improvement for the last two consecutive inspections.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation to infection prevention and control.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.