Highcliffe Care Centre

Updated 23 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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 26 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 23 March 2021

About the service: Highcliffe Care Centre provides accommodation and personal care for a maximum of 60 older people, including people who live with dementia or associated conditions. The service accommodated 52 people at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service: There were four breaches of regulation made at the last inspection with regard to good governance, need to consent, safe care and treatment and fit and proper persons employed. At this inspection it was found improvements had been made to the service and it was no longer in breach of its legal requirements.

People were safe and they told us staff were approachable. Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs safely and flexibly. Staff knew about safeguarding procedures.

Appropriate checks were carried out before they began work with people. People received suitable support to take their prescribed medicines.

People were cared for by staff who were kind and compassionate. The atmosphere within the home was friendly and welcoming. People and their relatives were involved and supported in decision making. People's privacy was respected and their dignity maintained.

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.

Staff had a good understanding and knowledge of people’s care and support needs. They received the training they needed and regular supervision and support. People were supported to access health care professionals when required. People had food and drink to meet their needs.

Risk assessments were in place which identified current risks to people as well as ways to reduce those risks. There was an open culture of learning when things go wrong. Staff worked well with other agencies to ensure people received appropriate care.

Activities and entertainment were available to keep people engaged and stimulated. People's views and concerns were listened to and action was taken to improve the service.

The manager monitored the quality of the service through audits and feedback received from people, their relatives, staff and external agencies.

The home was being refurbished and people were very positive about the changes taking place. Plans were in place to ensure it was becoming better designed to promote the independence and involvement of people who lived with dementia.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: The service was rated requires improvement (4 April 2018) and breaches of regulations were found. At this inspection improvements had been made and the service was no longer in breach of its legal requirements.

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating of the service at the last inspection and to follow up that improvements had been made.

Follow up: We did not identify any concerns at this inspection. We will therefore re-inspect this service within the published timeframe for services rated good. We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.