Hallgarth Care Home

Updated 9 December 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 Care Quality Commissions (CQC) response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has 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 19 October 2022 and was announced from the car park.

Updated 9 December 2022

About the service:

Hallgarth is a residential care home that was providing personal care to 42 older people and people living with dementia at the time of the inspection. The service accommodates up to 45 people.

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

People received a very caring and responsive service, from staff who were trained and supported in their roles. Staff were aware of risks to people’s safety and wellbeing and acted to minimise these risks. The home was clean and good infection prevention and control measures were followed. People received their medicines in line with their prescription, but we have made a recommendation about ensuring best practice in medicines management is consistently followed.

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 were complimentary about the food and there was good information for staff about people’s nutrition and hydration needs. People had access to healthcare professionals and specialists where needed, and staff followed the advice of health professionals. The environment was suitable for people’s needs and the décor reflected people’s preferences.

Care plans provided staff with appropriate information about people’s needs and preferences, which enabled staff to provide person-centred care. Staff were very attentive and caring, and people’s privacy and dignity was respected. There was a welcoming, positive atmosphere in the home and people took part in activities of their choosing. People were supported to maintain relationships with friends and family members.

Systems were in place to check the quality and safety of the service and the provider demonstrated commitment to continual improvement. We received positive feedback from people, relatives and staff about the management of the service. People were very satisfied with the service and felt confident any concerns they raised would be dealt with.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated Good overall (published 11 July 2017).

Why we inspected:

This was a scheduled inspection based on the service’s 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.