Background to this inspection
Updated
4 February 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 25 January 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one day’s notice of the inspection.
Updated
4 February 2022
About the service: HF Trust 117 a&b Hitchin Road is a residential care home that was providing personal care for 11 adults with learning disabilities and other complex needs at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service:
People received very person-centred care and the service had a strong focus on promoting independence and equality.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People told us they felt safe and thought that staff were kind and caring.
One person told us, “They [staff] treat me well and I feel safe. I can read my care plan and make choices. I can help myself to food and drinks, my favourite is fish and chips.”
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes.
The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.
Outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways, promotion of choice and control, independence, inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
The registered manager had systems and processes in place ensuring risks were well managed and care was personalised and reviewed.
Staffing levels, skills and experience were suitable to meet the needs of people.
The provider implemented safe systems for the management of medicines which included staff training and assessments of staff competency. Staff encouraged people to self-medicate and be in control of their medicines where it was safe to do so.
Staff had a good understanding of preventing the spread of infection by using the protective equipment and good hand hygiene.
The registered manager shared lessons learnt with staff and managed complaints and concerns in an open and honest way.
Staff supported people with meals and drinks and to access specialised healthcare when needed.
People decorated their rooms in ways that they preferred and which met individual tastes.
The registered manager used systems such as training, policies and care plans to ensure that staff had the skills and knowledge to support people who might need end of life care in the future.
The registered manager and the staff team were clear about their roles and the impact of good care.
The registered manager showed ways that they are working with other agencies to improve the lives of people living at the home.
The service met the characteristics of good all areas. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.or.uk
Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated Good. (Report published 05 May 2016.) Overall, since the last inspection, the service rating has remained the same.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.