Alexandra House - Harlow

Updated 15 July 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection, we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and 1 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.

Service and service type

Alexandra House - Harlow is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Alexandra House - Harlow is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 13 June 2023 and ended on 23 June 2023. We visited the location’s service on the 13 and 16 June 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people who used the service and 4 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 11 members of staff including the registered manager, regional operations director, chef, well-being lead and care staff. We spoke with 2 external healthcare professionals who frequently visit the service for their feedback. We reviewed a range of records. This included 8 people's care records and multiple medicine records. We looked at 3 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision, and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 15 July 2023

AAbout the service

Alexandra House - Harlow is a care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 106 people some of whom may be living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 97 people using the service. The service is set across 3 floors in 1 adapted building.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe. Risks to people's safety had been assessed and there was guidance in place for staff to mitigate the risks. Accidents and incidents had been recorded and analysed to identify patterns and trends; action had been taken to reduce the risk of them happening again. Staff were aware of safeguarding processes. Medicines were managed safely. There were enough staff 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 and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People's needs were assessed before they moved into the service to ensure they could receive the care they required. Staff had the skills and experience to provide care and support to people. Staff provided support to people with health monitoring and referred people to healthcare services when required. People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet.

People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. Care plans detailed how people wished and needed to be cared for. People and relatives felt included in the planning of care and knew who to complain to if they needed to do so. People, their relatives and staff told us there was a positive atmosphere at the service.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the care provided. Regular audits were undertaken, and any actions identified completed. The registered manager and regional operations director took immediate action in response to any minor concerns found during the inspection.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 5 September 2020). The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

At a previous comprehensive inspection in 2019 we recommended the provider seeks best practice from a reputable source about how to identify people's protected characteristics and ensure care is planned around them. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on the recommendation.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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.