Highgrove Care Home

Updated 2 February 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 one inspector.

Service and service type

Highgrove 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. Highgrove 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 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 were two registered managers in post at this location.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority service improvement and safeguarding teams. The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who used the service and 4 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 7 members of staff including the registered manager, operations manager, deputy manager, team leader, health care assistants and the provider. We made observations throughout the day of interactions between people and staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people's care records and 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 2 February 2023

About the service

Highgrove Care Home is a residential care home registered to provide care and support to up to 21 people. The service provides support to older people some of whom were living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people using the service.

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

Highgrove Care Home was a safe place to be. People, their relatives and staff told us the care and environment was safe. Equipment, training and safety checks ensured safe working practices. People’s risks were assessed, and procedures supported them to be safe from avoidable harm, staff knew people well.

There were enough staff on duty, people told us when they needed them, staff were there. The registered manager used a dependency tool to work out safe staffing levels to meet the needs of people living at the home. Accidents and incidents were recorded and analysed to ensure lessons were learnt. 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.

Medicines were managed safely. Infection prevention and control procedures were robust and additional practices were in place to protect against COVID-19. Recruitment procedures were robust. The home worked well with external professionals.

Staff knew how to recognise, and report concerns under safeguarding. Staff were confident the management team would follow up on concerns raised. Quality assurance systems operated effectively, a range of audits monitored the quality and safety of the home. People’s views were sought and used to drive improvement within 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

The last rating for this service was good (published 7 March 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.