We carried out a review of the data available to us about Northhill Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Northhill Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Northhill Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care up to 28 older people, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe care, but there was scope to make the service safer. All incidents in the home were logged and investigated and learnt from where appropriate. However, manager oversight of incidents was not always robust. We have made a recommendation about monitoring incidents. Infection prevention procedures were well-established, and the home was clean and tidy. We found some difficult to reach areas in the home, such as the undersides of furniture and appliances, had not been cleaned for a long time. The registered manager was responsive to our feedback to ensure the service was running as safe as possible.
Staff knew people well and understood how to support people who were distressed or showing signs of being anxious. Care files provided information about people’s needs and how they wished to be cared for. We have made a recommendation about the recording in people’s end of life care plans. The provider had switched to an electronic care planning system and was in the process of finalising the transfer of information from the previous paper-based files.
The provider had adapted the environment to promote choice and autonomy for people living with dementia. This included sensory boards or ensuring rooms were accessible and clearly marked. 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.
The meal experience was positive overall, and people were offered a choice of meal options. However, the meal experience could be further improved, for people living with dementia, if other communication methods were attempted to better support them to a make decisions for themselves.
A quality assurance system was in place, including audits carried out by the registered manager and provider. Action plans were written and signed off when completed. Complaints were responded to appropriately. People were supported to take part in a range of activities and planned events at the home.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 3 June 2022 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service, under the previous provider, was good overall (published on 4 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
We found the following examples of good practice.
Effective systems were in place to ensure visitors to the service followed government guidelines for wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Facilities were available for visitors to sanitise their hands and put on PPE. A temperature check and lateral flow screening test were standard requirements for all visitors.
All staff were trained in safe infection, prevention and control (IPC) practices. The service carried out regular IPC audits and had an IPC policy.
We observed staff wearing appropriate PPE and sufficient supplies were available.
The environment was clean and hygienic. Cleaning schedules were in place.
A regular programme of testing for COVID-19 was in place for staff and people who lived in the service. There had been a good uptake of people receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
People were supported to maintain contact with their relatives in different ways including video calls and window visits. The service had implemented a system to allow contact visits which followed government guidelines.