Background to this inspection
Updated
20 October 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.
This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place. As part of CQC’s response to the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.
This inspection took place on 13 October 2020 and was announced. The service was invited to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.
Updated
20 October 2020
This inspection took place on 27 June 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a service for adult men who may be out during the day, we needed to be sure that someone would be in. At our previous inspection in March 2017 we rated this service “Requires Improvement”. We found two breaches of regulations with regards to safe care and treatment, and person-centred care. We also made a recommendation about the home recording verbal complaints. We found that the provider had taken satisfactory actions in response to the last inspection report.
Newnton 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. Newnton House provides care and support for up to 9 people with mental health needs, many of whom have a forensic history and learning disabilities. The service aims to provide a short-term service for people before they are able to live more independently. At the time of our inspection there were eight men using the service. The service is based in a large house in Hackney, which contains nine bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large lounge and activities room, a kitchen and dining area and a communal garden. There was a staff office within the building and a staff sleeping in room.
There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People told us they felt safe with staff and there were enough staff to meet their needs. Staff were trained in safeguarding and knew how to safeguard people against harm and abuse. People’s risk assessments were completed, regularly reviewed and gave sufficient information to staff on how to provide safe care. Staff kept detailed records of people’s accidents and incidents. Staff wore appropriate protection equipment to prevent the risk of spread of infection. Medicines were stored and administered safely. The home environment was clean.
Staff undertook training and received regular supervision to help support them to provide effective care. Staff we spoke with had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). MCA and DoLS is legislation protecting people who are unable to make decisions for themselves or whom the state has decided need to be deprived of their liberty in their own best interests. We saw people were able to choose what they ate and drank. People told us they enjoyed the food. The home was well decorated and adapted to meet their needs of the people.
People told us that they were well treated and the staff were caring. We found that care records were in place which included information about how to meet a person’s individual and assessed needs. People’s cultural and religious needs were respected when planning and delivering care. Discussions with staff members showed that they respected people’s sexual orientation so that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people could feel accepted and welcomed in the service. People had access to a wide variety of activities.
The service had not recorded exploring people’s wishes for end of life care. We have made a recommendation about involving people in decisions about their end of life care.
The service had a complaints procedure in place and we found that complaints were investigated and where possible resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant.
Staff told us the service had an open and inclusive atmosphere and the registered manager was approachable and listened to concerns. The service had various quality assurance and monitoring mechanisms in place.