The Hornchurch Care Home

Updated 17 January 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, a specialist nursing advisor, a medicines inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

The Hornchurch Care Home is a ‘care home’ in which people receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we already held about the service. This included feedback from professionals and notifications. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, the area director, the deputy manager, 10 nursing and care staff, an external end of life support and care professional, 1 member of domestic and laundry staff and the head chef who managed the kitchen.

We carried out observations of people’s care and support and spoke with 8 and 4 relatives, who were visiting their family members.

We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed 8 people's care plans. We looked at other documents such as medicine management, infection control records and 5 staff training and recruitment files.

Updated 17 January 2023

About the service

The Hornchurch Care Home supports older people, some of whom have dementia care needs. It is registered to accommodate up to 55 people with nursing and personal care. At the time of the inspection, 54 people were living at the home. The home has three floors with adapted facilities and en-suite rooms.

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

Medicines were administered to people safely and as prescribed. However, we have made a recommendation for the provider to review the way they manage medicines and equipment to monitor people’s blood sugar levels.

People were safe and there were systems to protect them from the risk of abuse. Potential risks to people were assessed and monitored. Staff were recruited safely and appropriately. There were enough staff to meet people's care and support needs. Systems were in place to record and monitor accidents and incidents.

People were protected from the risks associated with the spread of infection. People were supported by staff who had received professional training and support. People's needs were assessed before they started to use the service. The staff worked with other health and social care professionals to ensure people were in good health.

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 did support this practice.

People were encouraged to maintain a healthy balanced diet and were provided food and drink that met their preferences and needs. Staff knew people well and they provided care and support to them in a kind and compassionate way. People were treated with respect and their views were listened to and their requests acted upon.

People received personalised care and support in accordance with their individual needs. Care plans provided guidance on how to support people, and included their preferences and communication needs. People were positive about the care and support they received from staff and the management team. There was a positive culture in the home and equality, diversity and inclusion was promoted.

Activities for people in the home were engaging and meaningful. People were supported to pursue their interests. People and their relatives were positive about the management team and could approach them with any concerns.

The provider had systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided. Feedback was sought from people, relatives, staff and other professionals. The home worked with local services and was a part of the community.

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 the service was Good (report published 20 April 2020).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted in part due to concerns we received about the quality and safety of the service and the management of end of life care support. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

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.