Archived: Heathfield

We noted that people's needs were assessed and care was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. We reviewed four care records and found that individual risk assessments had been carried out and these were then used to develop people's care plans. We saw evidence that people's care plans were regularly reviewed and updated.

There was choice from the menu at meal times and the people we spoke with said that they enjoyed the food. People's nutrition and hydration needs had been assessed and there was evidence that these were being met.

We saw that Heathfield was clean. We observed health and safety information, and the staff we spoke with could explain how to reduce the risk of infection.

Appropriate recruitment checks were undertaken and records relating to the service were well maintained and up to date.

We spoke with relatives of people using the service and they told us they were very satisfied with the care their relative received. Two visitors were with their relative who had just moved into the home. The visitors told us they had completed questionnaires to give staff background information about their relative. One of the visitors told us, "It is very good here. Mother would not be here unless it was."

We observed the interaction between staff and people living at the home. We saw that people received the care they needed when they needed it and that staff understood the person's needs and how they should be cared for. People were spoken to kindly and responded cheerfully to staff. We saw that no person was ill at ease and people appeared to be relaxed and engaged in their chosen activity.

There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs in a timely way. Staff were unhurried and gave people plenty of time to respond. Staff showed that they understood the needs of people.

We saw copies of the home's complaint booklet in the entrance hall and we were told how the views of people were sought and acted on.