Highbarrow Residential Home

Updated 18 March 2023

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.

We received information of concern about visiting arrangements at this service. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures, including visiting arrangements, the provider had in place.

This inspection took place on 16 February 2023 and was unannounced.

During the inspection, we spoke with 5 people who used the service. We also spoke with 18 relatives over the phone following our visit to the home. We spoke with 3 staff members during our visit, plus the registered manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

Updated 18 March 2023

About the service

Highbarrow Residential Home is residential care home providing personal care to 19 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 22 people in one adapted building. People who use the service may have a physical disability and/or a mental health condition such as dementia.

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

We have made a recommendation about different ways of ensuring information was accessible to meet people’s individual needs.

Improvements were needed to ensure the newly implemented care planning system was fully imbedded to ensure records fully reflected people’s care. A newly recruited manager had been appointed. However, they had not commenced their employment and therefore had not yet registered with CQC.

People were supported by safely recruited staff, who had the skills and knowledge to provide effective support. Staffing levels were reviewed to ensure there were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. People’s medicines were managed safely, and staff followed infection control procedures.

Staff supported people to lower their risks. 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 had access to healthcare professionals and were supported with their nutritional needs. There were systems in place to ensure people received consistent care and support.

People were supported by caring staff who provided dignified care and respected people’s privacy. People’s independence was promoted by staff.

People were involved in the planning and review of their care and received support in line with their preferences. There was a complaints system in place which people understood. People’s end of life wishes were sought.

Systems were in place to monitor the service, which ensured people’s risks were mitigated and lessons were learnt when things went wrong. Feedback was gained from people and their relatives, which was used to improve the service provided. The management team worked with professionals to ensure their needs were met.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published 08 February 2019) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

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.