Background to this inspection
Updated
6 August 2022
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 one inspector.
Service and service type
The Heights Care Home 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. The Heights Care Home 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and 10 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, activities coordinator, nurses, domestic and catering staff also care assistants. We also spoke with four relatives about their experience of the care provided.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
Updated
6 August 2022
About the service
The Heights Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 36 people. The service provides support to older people. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people using the service.
The care home accommodates people in one adapted building across two floors. There are communal living areas, bathrooms and dining spaces. The home also has a garden with several seating areas.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider and registered manager had made several improvements to infection, prevention and control, auditing and care planning since our last inspection and were continuing to work to action plans they had in place. Staff also told us of the improvements that had been made which included improved communication in the service and strategies for managing people’s oral care and skin integrity.
People had their needs assessed prior to using the service, care plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed and updated to reflect any changes in people’s needs. Staff worked with external professionals to reduce the risks they had identified. Records demonstrated that appropriate referrals had been made when people had experienced a deterioration in their health.
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.
Staff spoke about the people they supported with respect and understanding. Relatives were happy with how staff treated people and staff had a good understanding of how to ensure the care they provided was individualised.
The service had an activities coordinator in place who provided a range of activities and relatives told us people were supported to keep in touch with them, we saw evidence that staff had supported people with regular visits and phone calls.
The provider and manager had a comprehensive quality assurance system in place which ensured all aspects of the service were regularly audited. The management team were passionate about the service and committed to providing a safe and good quality service, they shared with us the improvements they had made to improve people’s outcomes.
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 1 October 2021). 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.
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the care of people using the service. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern
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.