Holmesdale House

Updated 24 January 2020

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Holmesdale House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included feedback about the service on a review site (carehome.co.uk) and the report from an ‘enter and view’ visit by Healthwatch carried out in July 2019. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

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

We spoke with the four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and four members of staff; the registered manager, deputy manager and two care staff. We joined the handover between the morning and afternoon shift.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and multiple medicines records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We reviewed further documents sent to us by the registered manager. We also contacted healthcare professionals who worked with the service and received feedback from a chiropodist, hairdresser, GP and nurse specialist.

Updated 24 January 2020

About the service

Holmesdale House is a residential care home providing personal care for up to six older people. At the time of our inspection, four people were in residence. The care home is located close to local shops and amenities. It consists of one adapted building. There are a range of communal areas, including a garden for people to enjoy.

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

We found some issues in relation to record keeping for staff recruitment, equipment safety testing and the provider’s understanding of their regulatory responsibility to submit notifications to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Each of these issues was quickly addressed by the registered manager.

We have made a recommendation that the provider updates their practice in line with current guidance on disclosure and barring (DBS) checks.

People were enthusiastic in their praise for the home. One person said, “You've got all the facilities. All the staff are very good. I say I get spoilt”. Another told us, “It’s lovely”. Feedback from reviews included, ‘The staff are super friendly and nothing is too much trouble for them’, ‘She (person who received care) is forever singing their praises’ and ‘Excellent standard of care on all levels within a wonderful, warm and family-like setting’.

The provider prided themselves on offering a ‘home from home’ and a family feel. This was being achieved and everyone spoke of how homely Holmesdale House was. In a review, a relative wrote, ‘Behind Holmesdale’s typically leafy suburban façade lies a true sanctuary of wonderfulness. Staff become friends and residents are cared for each to their own needs in an environment that is truly home from home’.

People received high quality care that improved their wellbeing. Strong relationships were formed between staff and people due to the continuity of staff and the caring approach of staff members. Staff knew people as individuals and worked to ensure people felt fulfilled and were able to live their lives as they wished. Staff actively supported people to remain independent and to retain their mobility. People were treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

There was strong leadership within the service and everyone said they would recommend the home. The registered manager had shaped a culture where people were at the heart of the service.

People felt safe at the home. Risks to people had been assessed and staff followed guidance to keep people safe. Staffing levels met people's needs. Medicines were managed safely. Lessons were learned if things went wrong.

People spoke very positively about the staff who supported them and had confidence in their skills and experience. Staff had regular supervisions and an annual appraisal. People enjoyed the food and worked together weekly to plan the menu. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and support. Premises were suitable, comfortable and met people's needs.

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.

Care was highly personalised to meet people's needs. Care plans provided detailed information and guidance for staff on people's care and support needs, likes and dislikes, and exactly how they wished to receive personal care. Activities were organised according to people's preferences, interests and suggestions. People's communication needs were identified and planned for. People expressed confidence that they could raise any issues or concerns and that these would be addressed.

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 this service was good (published 7 Feb 2017).

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 reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.