Background to this inspection
Updated
16 April 2020
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
This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an inspection manager.
Service and service type
Hartington is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a 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 announced. We gave 48 hours’ notice of the inspection to ensure people who used the service, staff and visitors were available to talk with us.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we gained about Hartington since our last inspection, such as feedback from the local authority and professionals working with them. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke about Hartington with three people, three staff and the registered manager. We walked around the building to carry out a visual check. We did this to ensure Hartington was clean, hygienic and a safe place for people to live.
We looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the home, responded to any concerns and led Hartington in ongoing improvements. We checked care records of two people and looked at staffing levels, recruitment procedures and training provision.
Updated
16 April 2020
About the service
Hartington House is a care home providing personal care to five adults with mental health conditions at the time of our inspection. The service can support up to six people in single rooms provided over two floors, with the staff office on the third floor. There are sufficient bathing and communal spaces to meet people’s needs. Hartington House will be referred to as Hartington within this report.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The management team created individualised risk assessments to guide staff about maintaining people’s safety. They ensured sufficient staffing levels met each person’s requirements with a timely and safe approach. One person told us, “I’ve lived here many years and in all that time I’ve never felt unsafe because there’s always a staff member around.” The registered manager had effective procedures to ensure people received their medication safely and as prescribed.
The management team provided healthy meals to meet each person’s nutritional needs. They agreed care plans with people to guide staff about their health needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The registered manager provided a range of training to enhance staff skills and experience. One person said, “Staff are experienced enough to meet my needs.”
The management team assessed and agreed personalised care centred on people’s preferences. One person stated, “Love being here. Staff are really friendly.” The provider underpinned staff skills with equality and diversity training to guide them in supporting people with their needs.
The registered manager assessed people’s needs and agreed plans to support them. A staff member explained, “We sit down with [people] so they are involved in choosing their options.” The registered manager provided a programme of activities tailored to each person’s individualised needs. People confirmed they understood how to raise a complaint if they had any concerns.
The registered manager engaged with other agencies to improve people’s quality of care. They undertook audits to check quality assurance and maintain everyone’s welfare. People told us the home had an open, welcoming atmosphere. One person said, “[The registered manager]'s great. She has time to sit down and chat with you. It’s a nice, calm atmosphere here.”
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For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 05 September 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.