Hale Place Farmhouse

Updated 14 April 2021

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.

As part of CQC's response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 08 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 14 April 2021

This inspection took place on 4 and 7 September 2017 and the inspection was unannounced. Hale Place Farmhouse provides personal care and accommodation for up to 13 older people with dementia. The service is located between two properties on the same grounds, both of which are operated by the same provider and managed as one service. There is also a domiciliary care agency and a day service run from the location but at the time of our inspection none of the people using the domiciliary care service were receiving personal care. As such we have not looked at the domiciliary care service or day service as part of this inspection. Most people at the service were living with dementia and those who did not have a formal diagnosis of dementia were living with other long term health issues that impaired their short term memory.

The service had three managers in post who were registered with CQC. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the care and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The service employed three managers and a deputy manager to oversee all areas of the business.

People and relatives were overwhelmingly positive about the service they received. Comments included, “It’s very good: excellent food, lovely people to care for us and listen to us, and we feel like we’re coming home when we come back here” and “ I would say that the standard of care and the way of dealing with people should be held up as a level that other care homes should aspire to.” Other comments included, “I would give them 100 stars and all the staff are so kind and caring. I honestly can’t fault it and they are all angels I’m 100% confident he’s wonderfully cared for.”

People received a highly person centred service that enabled them to live active and meaningful lives in the way they wanted. There were a range of varied and meaningful activities and people could still share their lives with their friends and families if they chose to.

There was an open, transparent culture and people were included in the running of their home. Staff spoke highly of the registered managers and their leadership style. The management team had positive relationships with the care staff and knew people well. The registered managers took an active role within the service and led by example.

People were kept safe. Staff understood the importance of safeguarding people from abuse and knew how to report any concerns. Risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing had been assessed and plans were in place, which instructed staff how to minimise any identified risks to keep people safe from harm or injury.

There were suitable arrangements in place for the safe storage, receipt and management of people’s medicines. Medicine profiles were in place which provided an overview of the person’s prescribed medicine, the reason for administration, dosage and any side effects.

There were sufficient numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and staff knew people well and had built up good relationships with people. The registered provider had effective and safe recruitment procedures in place.

People had sufficient food and drink to maintain their health and told us that they enjoyed the food. Relatives commented to us that the food was of a high quality, nutritious and to peoples tastes. 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 support this practice.

Staff treated people as individuals and with dignity and respect. Staff were knowledgeable about people's likes, dislikes, preferences and care needs. People’s privacy and dignity were respected and upheld by staff who valued peoples’ unique characters. Good interactions were observed throughout our inspection, such as staff sitting and talking with people as equals. People could have visits from family and friends whenever they wanted.

Peoples' health was monitored and referrals were made to health services in an appropriate and timely manner. Any recommendations made by health care professionals were acted upon and incorporated into peoples' care plans.

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.

No complaints were received but concerns and suggestions were used as a means of improving the service and people felt confident that they could make a complaint and that any concerns would be taken seriously.