Background to this inspection
Updated
12 March 2022
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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.
This inspection took place on 2 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection.
Updated
12 March 2022
Hillcroft Carnforth is one of six nursing homes managed by Hillcroft Nursing Homes Limited. The home provides accommodation for up to 64 people in three separate units, catering respectively for people with general nursing needs, dementia and challenging behaviour. The home is situated in the town of Carnforth and close to community facilities. At the time of our inspection there were 62 people living at the home.
Rating at last inspection.
At our last inspection we rated the home good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.
This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. At this inspection we found the service Good. We found the registered provider continued to provide a good standard of care to people who lived at the home.
Why the service is rated Good
At this inspection we found the registered provider had systems to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and took action as required. The service carefully monitored and analysed such events to learn from them and improve the service.
Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices. The registered provider had reported incidents to the Care Quality Commission when required.
People told us staff were caring and respectful towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of providing high standards of care and enabled people to lead meaningful lives.
We found there were sufficient numbers of staff during our inspection visit. They were effectively deployed, trained and able to deliver care in a compassionate and patient manner. One person commented, “There is more than enough [staff].”
Staff we spoke with confirmed they did not commence in post until the management team completed relevant checks. We checked staff records and noted employees received induction and training appropriate to their roles.
Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. Care records showed they were reviewed and any changes had been recorded.
We looked around the building and saw the home was clean and a safe place for people to live. We found equipment had been serviced and maintained as required. Staff wore protective clothing such as gloves and aprons when needed. This reduced the risk of cross infection.
Medicine records provided staff with a good understanding about specific support needs of each person who lived at Hillcroft Carnforth. We noted people had access to healthcare professionals and received ongoing healthcare support when required.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems supported this practice.
People told us they had plenty of food and drink with the option of additional snacks and drinks between meals. One person told us, “If you did not like what was on the menu, they would bring you something else.”
We observed only positive interactions between staff and people who lived at Hillcroft Carnforth. We observed humour used to foster positive relationships. There was a culture of promoting dignity and respect towards people. We saw staff spent time with people as they completed routine tasks. One person told us, “They [staff] are very kind, all of them.” One relative stated, “[Family member’s] quality of life has improved since he came here.”
There was a complaints procedure which was made available to people and visible within the home. People we spoke with, and visiting relatives, told us they were happy and had no complaints.
The management team used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service delivered. These included regular audits, staff meetings and daily discussions with people who lived at the home to seek their views about the care provided.
People were supported with activities and social interaction but the registered provider also respected people’s right to not participate and engage in activities.
The registered provider offered people dignified end of life support that extended after their passing. People preferences related to end of life care were recorded and respected.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.