Harwood Court

Updated 9 December 2020

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 CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 24 November 2020 and was announced.

Updated 9 December 2020

This inspection took place on 11 December 2018 and was unannounced. Harwood Court 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.

Harwood Court provides care for up to 35 people. There were 30 people living in the home at the time of the inspection, some of whom were living with dementia.

At our last inspection on 24 May 2016 we awarded an overall rating of good and rated the key question ‘is this service caring?’ At this inspection we found the service remained good, we have therefore rated it good.

A registered manager was 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.

There were safe procedures in place for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, and recruitment procedures helped to protect people from abuse.

Risks to people and the premises and equipment were assessed and plans were in place to mitigate these. A record of accidents and incidents was kept and reviewed by the registered manager to help prevent reoccurrence.

Suitable systems remained in place for the management of medicines.

The home was clean and well maintained and had recently been refurbished. New signs were due to be put up to help people with finding their way around the home.

Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisals and told us they felt well supported by the provider to complete training they considered mandatory.

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 supported with eating and drinking and told us they enjoyed the food at Harwood Court. Specialist advice was sought when there were concerns about people’s nutrition.

There were numerous examples of kind and compassionate care being provided. People told us they appreciated the atmosphere and the relationship and fun they had with care staff. People were also treated with dignity and respect.

Person centred care plans were in place which aimed to put people at the centre of their care. Care plans we read were up to date and regularly reviewed.

A variety of activities were available and people had access to outdoor space in better weather.

Close attention had been paid to supporting people at the end of their lives. A chaplain was employed who supported this, and resources were provided to promote the comfort of people and their relatives at this important time.

We received positive feedback about the registered manager, deputy and administrator, who were found by people, staff and relatives to be approachable and helpful.

The registered manager undertook a range of audits on the quality and safety of the service and sought the views of people using the service and their families.

There were close links with the local community.