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.

This was a focused inspection to review the Key Questions of Safe and Well-led only. Our report is only based on the findings in those areas at this inspection. The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for the Effective, Caring and Responsive key questions were not looked at on this occasion. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

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 three inspectors.

Service and service type

Hamble Heights is a ‘care home’. People in care homes 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.

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. However, having consideration of the coronavirus pandemic, we gave the registered manager notice of our arrival from outside the premises. This was to ensure safe systems were in place to protect everyone.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service. Some people were not able to fully share with us their experiences using the service. Therefore, we spent time observing interactions between people and the staff supporting them in communal areas. We reviewed a range of records. This included care records for three people and multiple medicine records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and observed a medicines round. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. We spoke to five members of staff including the provider, registered manager, clinical lead, registered nurse and the maintenance manager.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received feedback from 15 relatives and eight staff members.