Background to this inspection
Updated
23 October 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 team consisted of an inspector, CQC medicines 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
Service and service type
Hawthorn House 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 that 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
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from professionals working with the service. 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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four staff, including the manager, team leader and two care staff. We observed interactions between people who used the service and staff. We looked at staff personnel files in relation to recruitment, staff supervision and appraisal. We also reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and other records related to the running of the service.
We reviewed records related people who used the service. This included three people’s care records, medicine administration records (MAR).
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training information and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly visited the service.
Updated
23 October 2019
About the service
Hawthorn House is a residential care home providing accommodation with personal care to five people with mental health needs aged 60 and over in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection there were five people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Safety checks were carried out to ensure the building was safe and suitable for people who used the service. We have made a recommendation related to legionella testing.
People were protected from the risk of abuse because staff knew how to identify and report any concerns. Risks to people were assessed and managed to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. People were supported to take their medicines safely. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. Care staff were recruited safely. Records showed pre-employment checks had been carried out to make sure new care staff were of good character to care for people.
Processes were in place to report, monitor and learn from accidents and incidents. Guidelines were in place for care staff on reporting incidents and accidents and staff were clear about their role in reporting these.
People were protected from the risk of infections because staff followed good infection control practices; policies and procedures supported this.
Medicines were being managed safely at the home. Care staff had received medicines training, so they were competent to administer medicines.
People were supported by staff who received regular training and support to effectively carry out their role.
People’s nutritional and hydration needs were met. They told us they were given food and drink of their choice.
People’s health needs were met because the service worked closely with other health care professionals.
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 were looked after by staff who respected their privacy and dignity. We noted that confidential information about people were kept securely in a locked cupboard accessed by staff.
People were supported by staff who understood their needs and how they wanted to be supported.
People knew how to make a complaint. People and relatives were aware of the complaints procedure. Quality assurance process were in place to develop/improve the service.
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 Good (published 29 March 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.