Archived: Haughgate House Nursing Home

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons.’ Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Our previous inspection of 13 May 2015 found that improvements were needed to ensure people were consistently supported by sufficient numbers of staff with the knowledge and skills to meet their needs. Further improvements were needed to provide people with a positive meal time experience and to ensure their wellbeing and social needs were met. There was also concern that people’s records did not consistently reflect changes to their needs and preferences. The provider wrote to us and told us how they were addressing these shortfalls. During this inspection we found that improvements had been made.

People received care and support that was personalised to them and met their individual needs and wishes. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and interacted with people in a caring, compassionate and professional manner. They were knowledgeable about people’s choices, views and preferences. The atmosphere in the service was friendly and welcoming.

People were safe and staff knew what actions to take to protect them from abuse. The provider had processes in place to identify and manage risk. Assessments had been carried out and personalised care records were in place which reflected individual needs and preferences.

Recruitment checks on staff were carried out with sufficient numbers employed who had the knowledge and skills to meet people’s needs.

Appropriate arrangements were in place to ensure people’s medicines were obtained, stored and administered safely. People were encouraged to attend appointments with other health care professionals to maintain their health and well-being. Where people required assistance with their dietary needs there were systems in place to provide this support safely.

People and or their representatives, where appropriate, were involved in making decisions about their care and support arrangements. As a result people received care and support which was planned and delivered to meet their specific needs. Staff listened to people and acted on what they said.

The service was meeting the requirements of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs). Support workers understood the need to obtain consent when providing care. Appropriate mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions had been undertaken by relevant professionals. This ensured that the decision was taken in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005, DoLs and associated Codes of Practice

There was a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to voice their concerns if they were unhappy with the care they received. People’s feedback was valued and acted on. There was visible leadership within the service and a clear management structure. The service had a quality assurance system with identified shortfalls addressed promptly which helped the service to continually improve.

We spoke with four staff, the registered manager, four people who used the service and two relatives of people who used the service on the day of our inspection.

People and relatives were treated with dignity and respect and reported staff as kind and caring. People told us that, "Staff are all good and kind", "Quality of attention is good', 'It's a good home' and, 'Staff are very good, particularly the girls.'

We found that the service was providing a good level of care to people. Risk assessments were appropriate to the needs of each individual and were reviewed in line with the provider's policy. Guidelines were in place to ensure that people's care was well managed.

People benefited from a service that was clean and hygienic throughout.

The provider had effective quality assurance and safeguarding procedures in place. We found that staff received regular training and support.

During our visit we spoke with four staff members who told us that they felt confident when asking people for their consent and confirmed that full explanations were given prior to the commencement of any procedure, care or treatment.

People were well supported to eat and drink sufficient amounts to meet their individual needs. People with eating and swallowing difficulties were well supported by the staff and dieticians.

There were effective recruitment and selection processes in place, which were appropriately managed by the owner and registered manager. A complaints policy and process was in place and there had been no formal complaints in the past year.