Background to this inspection
Updated
21 April 2020
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.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of one 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
Highcroft Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 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 the inspection
We reviewed the information we had received about the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, a senior care assistant, a care assistant and the activities co-ordinator.
We reviewed range of records. This included two people’s care records including risk assessments. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service including health and safety checks and quality assurance were reviewed.
After the inspection
The registered manager sent us documentation we requested including training data.
Updated
21 April 2020
About the service
Highcroft Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to 22 people living with dementia. The service can support up to 23 people in one building across two floors.
People’s experience of using this service
People were protected from the risks of harm and abuse. Staff were knowledgeable about the actions to take if they suspected somebody was being harmed or abused. People had risk assessments to minimise the risks of harm or abuse they may face. Staff were recruited safely and there were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. Medicines were managed safely.
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’s care needs were assessed before they began to use the service. Staff were supported to carry out their role with training and supervision. People were supported with their nutrition, hydration, health and oral hygiene. Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
People and relatives thought staff and the management were caring. Staff knew people well and understood how to deliver a fair and equal service. People and relatives were included in the decision making around the care provided to them. Staff understood how to promote people’s privacy, dignity and independence.
Staff knew how to provide a personalised care service. Care plans were detailed and personalised. People’s communication needs were met. People were encouraged to participate in activities and maintain family contact. People were supported to follow their religious beliefs and practices. Complaints were dealt with appropriately. People who were at the end of their life had their last wishes documented.
People, relatives and staff spoke positively about the leadership in the service. The provider held regular meetings for staff. The registered manager had a system of checking the quality of the service provided to identify areas for improvement. The provider worked in partnership with other agencies to improve outcomes for people.
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 19 September 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.