Hallamshire Residential Home

Updated 16 November 2021

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 COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and the service is compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 3 November 2021 and was announced.

Updated 16 November 2021

About the service:

Hallamshire Residential Home is a converted Victorian house situated in the Broomhill area of Sheffield. Communal lounges and dining areas are based on the ground floor, and accommodation is split across the ground and first floor. It provides care and accommodation for up to 32 older people. At the time of our inspection 31 people were using the service, some of whom were living with a dementia.

People’s experience of using this service:

People who used the service and their relatives were positive about the care they received at Hallamshire Residential Home. Their comments included, “Staff make us feel welcome when we visit. They always give us an update on [relatives name]. They tell us if they’re eating well and if they’ve seen the doctor. They always let us know,” and “We would recommend this home. We looked around a few but this was by far the best and we haven’t been disappointed.”

People were safe because there were effective risk assessments in place, and systems to keep people safe from abuse or avoidable harm. Also, medicines were managed safely and people were supported to ensure their health needs were met.

Observations and discussions with relatives and staff indicated there were enough staff on duty. The service used regular agency staff to fill any gaps in the rota to make sure people’s needs were met in a timely manner.

The registered provider had taken prompt and appropriate action to learn lessons when things went wrong. This included procuring external consultants to carry out audits of the home and make suggestions for improvements.

Since the last inspection, refurbishment and redecoration work had been completed which had improved the appearance of the home. The environment was clean, bright and homely.

Staff had undertaken a good range of training, and this was refreshed regularly. Staff also received supervision and an annual appraisal. Staff told us they could speak with the managers at any time and they would listen to them and give advice.

People, and those who were important to them, were at the heart of the service and were encouraged to be involved in decisions and developing their support.

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.

Staff recognised the importance of promoting equality and diversity. Staff also maintained people’s privacy and dignity when providing personal care and support.

We spent time observing staff interacting with people and found they were kind, caring and supported people in a sensitive way. Staff were very patient and gave people time and opportunities to remain independent.

Each person had a care plan. However, not all care plans had been reviewed and updated to reflect the current needs of people who used the service. Information seen in care plans was sometimes conflicting which made it difficult to ensure people’s individual needs and wishes were being maintained.

There was an extensive activity programme available to people, which they all thoroughly enjoyed and participated in.

There was a complaints procedure and we saw a system was in place to log any complaints received. People who used the service knew how to make a complaint.

The registered manager provided staff with leadership and was approachable. Audits and checks continued to be used to drive improvements to the service people received.

People’s feedback was used to make changes to the service, for example, to the menus and activities.

Rating at last inspection: Good (report published on 1 November 2016).

Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating awarded at the last inspection.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care. Further inspections will be planned for future dates. For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk