Archived: Hartwell Care Home

Hartwell is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 32 older people. The home is situated in the North of Sheffield in the district of Ecclesfield. On the day of our inspection there were 25 people living in the home.

There was a manager at the service who was registered with CQC. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Our last inspection at Hartwell took place on 9 December 2013. The home was found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations we inspected at that time.

During our inspection we observed people who used the service were relaxed and comfortable in the company of the staff who were supporting them. There was lots of caring and supportive communication and discussion between staff and people who used the service.

We found there were sufficient staff to meet the needs of people. When people required assistance we saw this was provided promptly.

Staff were aware of their responsibilities in keeping people safe and had received training in safeguarding adults.

Staff told us they felt well supported by the senior manager’s at the home and were able to ask their advice at any time.

Everyone we spoke with and contacted during the inspection told us that the staff were kind and caring. People thought the staff had their best interests at heart and would do what was necessary to help them lead a quality life. This included providing dignified care and helping them to take part in activities which they had an interest in.

People were able to discuss their health needs with staff and had regular contact with a range of healthcare professionals as needed.

Each person’s needs had been assessed and there were on going reviews and updates so that changes to a person’s care could be made to continue to meet their needs.

People felt listened to. When they made suggestions or raised any concerns they said action was taken to show their comments had been taken into consideration.

Staff said that communication in the home was excellent and they always felt able to talk to the managers’ and make suggestions. There were meetings for staff where they could share ideas and good practice.

At this inspection we found that care records had been audited by the home manager and the regional manager. Care plans had been reviewed and updated so that there was a full and accurate record of the care and support provided to people.

People that we were able to communicate with told us that they were happy living at the home. Their comments included, "It's great here, the best place," "I'm very happy here" and "Things are good. I wish I could live here permanently."

We spoke with one relative who was visiting the home and they said they were, "More than satisfied" with the care provided.

We found people were protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment because accurate and appropriate records were maintained.

People that we were able to communicate with told us that they were happy living at the home. Their comments included, "they look after me, that's good enough for me. We're going to Cleethorpes and I'm going in my wheelchair" and "'I've been here a long time. They know my needs well."

We found that people were asked for their consent to care and treatment and the staff acted in accordance with their wishes.

During the inspection we spent time sitting with people in the communal areas of the home and with people individually in their rooms. We found that care and support was offered appropriately to people.

We spoke with three relatives who were visiting the home and they confirmed that they were satisfied with the care provided.

Our conversations with people, relatives and staff, together with observations on the day of our inspection evidenced that there were enough staff on duty and staff working in the home were appropriately qualified to do their jobs.

The provider had a system in place for gathering and evaluating information about the quality of care the service provided.

Records checked showed that people receiving short term care did not have a plan of care.