Highgrove

Updated 15 February 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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has 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 1 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service one days’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 15 February 2022

About the service

Highgrove is a residential care service providing personal care to a maximum of 67 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of this inspection there were 56 people using the service.

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

People and their families told us they felt safe living at the service. A person told us, “Oh yes I do feel safe living here.” Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff. Medicines were managed safely. We found risks assessments connected to legionella and the kitchenettes needed to be further strengthened, assurances provided confirmed this would happen.

Staff received an induction and on-going training to support them in their roles. People had access to services they required to maintain their health and staff supported them accordingly. The design and decoration of the service took account of dementia best practice. People lived in a clean environment.

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 told us staff were caring, kind and treated them with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to develop and maintain their independence skills. Visitors were made to feel welcome. A relative said, “I can’t fault this place, it’s absolutely amazing and [person’s name] is happy and that’s all that matters.”

People received personalised care. Care plans were regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they contained accurate information about people's needs. The service worked with a variety of health and social care professionals to help people achieve good outcomes and promote their wellbeing. There was a variety of activities on offer.

The positive culture of the service was led by a dedicated registered manager who knew the service very well. People, staff, relatives and other agencies said they felt the management of the service was good and their views were listened to and valued.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 29 May 2018). There was also an inspection on 20 and 22 May 2019 however, the report following that inspection was withdrawn as there was an issue with some of the information that we gathered.

Why we inspected

This is a planned re-inspection because of the issue highlighted above.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.