Archived: Hurst Hall

Updated 3 September 2019

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was undertaken by one inspector, an assistant inspector and an 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. The second day of inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Hurst Hall is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided

Notice of inspection

The first day of inspection was unannounced and the second day was announced.

What we did before 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 asked Healthwatch Tameside for their views on the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us 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 eight people who used the service and three visitors about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten members of staff including the registered manager, area quality director, care workers, the head chef, cook and laundry assistant. During the inspection we spoke with a visiting healthcare professional. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records and records of care provided. We looked at three 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 reviewed.

Updated 3 September 2019

About the service

Hurst Hall is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care. The service can support up to 50 people. At the time of the inspection there were 47 people using the service.

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

We found the evidence supported the overall rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns.

Detailed risk assessments were in place, risks were well managed and detailed records were kept of care and support provided. Records were up to date and fully completed. Peoples nutritional needs were met. The service worked closely with healthcare professionals to ensure people’s health needs were met.

Medicines were managed safely. Safe systems of recruitment were in place. Staff had received training in safeguarding people from abuse. Staff and people who used the service knew how to raise any concerns and were confident any concerns they raised would be dealt with appropriately.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff received the training and support they needed to carry out their roles. 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.

Significant improvements had been made in the pre-admission process and documents. These included information about people's wishes, choices and the support they needed. Care records were person centred, reviewed regularly and updated when people’s needs changed. People were positive about the staff and living at the home. The home was well maintained, and furnishings were in good condition.

Staff and the registered manager knew people well. We saw staff were kind and caring and interactions were warm and friendly.

There were now good systems of daily, weekly and monthly quality assurance checks and audits.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published September 2016) and there were two breaches of regulation. 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

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Hurst Hall on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.