Background to this inspection
Updated
16 May 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The inspection took place on 8 March 2018 and was unannounced.
The inspection was carried out by one 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.
Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. This included statutory notifications. Statutory notifications are events the provider is required to tell us about by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We received feedback from one health care professional who has regular contact with the service.
During the inspection we spoke with five people and three relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, two care workers, the activity coordinator and the maintenance person.
We looked at four people's care records, six staff files and other records relating to how the service was managed.
Updated
16 May 2018
This inspection was carried out on 8 March 2018 and was unannounced. At the last inspection on 19 and 20 July 2017 we found three breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We asked the provider to take action to make improvements in supporting people in a person-centred way at mealtimes, to ensure people were treated with dignity and respect and to improve systems for monitoring and improving the service. At this inspection we found improvements had been made.
Huntercombe Hall 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 is registered to provide care for up to 42 people. On the day of the inspection there were 37 people using the service.
There was a registered manager in post . 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.
People, relatives and staff were positive about the significant improvements made in the service since the inspection in July 2017. The registered manager promoted a culture that recognised the uniqueness of people and showed her commitment to continuous improvement of the service. The registered manager ensured systems for monitoring and improving the service were effective and where areas of improvement were identified there were plans in place for those improvements to be made.
The dining experience had improved. People were positive about the food and there was a social atmosphere throughout the mealtime. People living with dementia were supported by staff who knew them and understood how to encourage them to eat and drink.
People were supported by caring staff who treated them with kindness and compassion. There was a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere where people enjoyed the company of each other and staff. People enjoyed a range of activities and where people preferred to spend time in their room or did not want to join in activities this was respected.
Staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from harm and abuse. Risks to people were assessed and there were plans in place to manage risks. Medicines were managed safely to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.
Staff were well supported and had access to training and development opportunities to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to meet 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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The service contacted health and social care professionals appropriately to ensure people received on-going healthcare support. Where advice and guidance was given people were supported to follow this guidance.
The service was responsive to people’s changing needs. People and relatives were treated with empathy and compassion when people were receiving end of life care.