We carried out a review of the data available to us about Halliwell on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Halliwell, you can give feedback on this service.
We found the following examples of good practice.
People were well supported by staff to have telephone and internet contact with their family and friends. The staff facilitated in person visits in a manner which minimised the risk of infection spread, including outside visits, and visits using a specially adapted screened room through an external door on the ground floor of the home.
The registered manager had plans in place to isolate people with COVID-19 to minimise transmission. The service had good supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) that were readily available at stations throughout the service.
Visitors were asked health screening questions regarding Covid-19, received COVID-19 lateral flow tests and were expected to wash their hands with soap and water at an external sink when they arrived.
Staff had received training on how to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and staff and residents were regularly tested for COVID-19. The building was clean and free from clutter.
Staff ensured people’s welfare had been maintained and they had sufficient stimulation, with activities facilitated by dedicated staff. Social bubbles had been created within the home so that people could interact more freely and participate in group activities. One person told us they'd been looked after well by staff who had worked hard to keep them safe. People were seen to be supported to have fun and interact within their groups.
Halliwell is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 58 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 64 people.
The care home accommodates 58 people across three floors, each of which has separate adapted facilities.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they received exceptional and outstanding care and support. People’s dignity was promoted and respected at every turn. Staff encouraged people to make decisions about the care and support they received, enabling people to have control over their lives. People’s independence was promoted where safe to do so.
Care plans were person-centred and regularly reviewed to reflect people's changing needs. People spoke of the outstanding activities available and were supported to engage in these both in a group setting or on a one-to-one basis. The registered manger was aware of the provider's complaints policy and adhered to this. People’s end of life wishes were adhered to and people received exceptional care and outstanding support at the end of their lives.
Staff received comprehensive training to enhance their skills and knowledge. Staff were encouraged to reflect on their working practices to drive improvement. People spoke positively about the food provided, which met their dietary needs and preferences. A wide range of healthcare professional services were available to monitor and maintain people’s health and well-being. People’s cultural and spiritual needs were encouraged and respected.
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 administration of medicines was monitored and the provider took prompt action to remedy minor concerns we found at this inspection. People continued to be protected against the risk of harm and abuse, as staff received safeguarding training and knew how to identify, report and escalate suspected abuse. Risk management plans were comprehensive and gave staff clear guidance on how to keep people safe. People were protected against cross contamination, as there were robust infection control measures in place. Sufficient numbers of staff were deployed to keep people safe.
People, their relatives, staff and healthcare professionals confirmed the service was well-led. Regular audits were carried out to drive improvements. The registered manager placed emphasis on partnership working to ensure people received appropriate care and support in line with their needs and wishes.
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, with Outstanding in well-led (published 30 December 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Halliwell on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.
This comprehensive inspection took place on 3 November 2016 and was unannounced.
A registered manager was in post at the time of the inspection and had been registered since 2010 under the current legislation. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the agency. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff understood what keeping people safe meant and they were knowledgeable about the appropriate reporting procedures. A sufficient number of skilled and trained staff were in place to meet people’s individual care needs. A robust recruitment process was in place to help ensure that staff were suitable to look after people who used the service.
Risk assessments were in place to help ensure people were kept safe. People’s medicines were managed and administered safely and as prescribed.
People’s health care and nutritional needs were supported and met by staff who possessed the necessary care skills.
The CQC is required by law to monitor the Mental Capacity Act 2005 [MCA] and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards [DoLS] and to report on what we find. The registered manager and staff with a management responsibility were aware of and had used the correct procedures to lawfully deprive people of their liberty. Applications to the appropriate authorities to lawfully deprive people of their liberty had been sought and approved. Staff had a good understanding of how to apply the MCA and DoLS codes of practice.
Staff’s training, mentoring and coaching gave them the knowledge and skills they needed to do their job.
Staff respected people’s rights to privacy and dignity. Care staff provided people’s care with compassion and consideration of each person that was cared for. People, and their relatives or representatives, were involved in reviewing people’s care needs and the plans on how this was provided.
A range of options were in place to support people with their independence and to help reduce their risk of social isolation. People’s hobbies and interests were encouraged by staff who wanted to make a difference to people’s individual lives.
People’s complaints were listened to, investigated and effectively acted upon.
The registered manager was supported by a team who were supported with the necessary skills to fulfil their role.
People, staff and relatives views were sought in a variety of ways to help identify where improvements could be made. Quality assurance monitoring, audits and processes were in place and these were effective.
People had an assessment of their needs and a care plan that ensured these were met. People received timely personal care and told us that staff were responsive to their health needs. Risks to people's welfare or safety had been assessed and steps taken to minimise the risk whilst allowing people to remain as independent as possible.
People were cared for in a well maintained and safe environment. The premises were comfortable and designed with the needs of people using them in mind.
The service employed enough staff to meet people's needs. People told us they were happy with the staff that cared for them and felt they were skilled in their roles. One person said 'The staff are very good at recognising different people's personalities, I like a joke with them and they are always very jovial'. Another person told us 'The staff are always happy to be called, it's never a problem'
People knew how to make a complaint if they needed to and were confident to do so. We found that people had been provided with the information they needed to make a complaint. Where complaints had been made they had been investigated appropriately and a response given to the complainant quickly. The manager responded positively to all complaints and acknowledged where improvements could be made. Where action was needed to improve things in the service this happened quickly.
At the time of the inspection 52 people were living at the service. We spoke individually with ten people and with four relatives. Some people were not able to talk to us directly about their experiences due to their complex needs, so we used a number of different methods to help us understand their experiences. For example observations, reading records and speaking with relatives.
People said they could make choices about their daily lives, were well cared for and that staff were kind and caring. They said 'they look after me very well', 'they always have time for you, even the gardener does', 'they are always popping their head round the door, it is little things like that that matter' and 'staff are marvellous, you see very few without a smile'.
Overall people said the meals were good and the quality had improved. They said 'food has improved; it is nicely presented on the plate' and 'there is enough choice'.
People said staff were polite and treated them with dignity. We saw that staff received the training they needed for their roles and were well supported
People and relatives were asked for their views about the service and felt it was well run. People said 'this home is run very well' and 'I think they work quite hard to get it right'.
Comments we received included 'My wife was in here over six years ago and now I am here. All the staff are personal friends, I am very happy here and very well looked after' and 'I like the staff, they are very nice'.
People told us that sufficient staff were on duty and staff were kind and caring.
People told us that their privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.
Relatives and visitors we spoke with commented 'I am very impressed at how bright the home is and how cheerful people are. There is always lots of laughter in the dining room, people are having fun' and 'Staff are very cheerful and helpful'.
People told us the food was very good and they had a choice menu with plenty of fresh vegetables, homemade cakes and fruit.
People told us that the level of cleanliness was very good and that the home was cleaned on a regular basis. People had seen that beds and equipment were cleaned between uses. Comments received were 'They clean my room every day' and 'The home is very clean'.