Hebburn Court Nursing Home

Updated 9 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 23 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 9 March 2021

This inspection took place on 4 February 2019 and was unannounced.

We last inspected Hebburn Court in March 2018. At that inspection we found the service was in breach of its legal requirements with regard to Regulation 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This was because robust quality assurance systems were not in place to effectively monitor all aspects of care provision.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key question good governance to at least good.

We found improvements had been made so the service was no longer in breach of its legal requirements.

Hebburn Court is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and 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.

Hebburn Court accommodates a maximum of 55 older people, including people who live with dementia or a dementia related condition, in one adapted building. At the time of inspection 34 people were using the service.

A manager was in post who had applied to become registered with the Care Quality Commission. At the time of writing the report the manager had become registered. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Governance processes were more robust and any audits that identified areas of improvement were responded to. Parts of the building were showing signs of wear and tear. We received an action plan straight after the inspection with timescales to show how this would be addressed in a timely way. Improvements had been made to record keeping to help ensure people received person-centred care.

People said they felt safe and they could speak to staff as they were approachable. However, we have made a recommendation about keeping staffing levels and staff deployment under review as staff were busy during parts of the day and did not always have time to engage with people. Systems were in place for people to receive their medicines in a safe way.

People received a predominantly positive meal time experience and they received a choice of food. People said staff were kind and caring. Activities and entertainment were available to keep people stimulated.

Staff were aware of people’s care and support needs. Care was provided with kindness and patience. People were involved in decisions about their daily care requirements but improvements could be made to make more information accessible to keep people informed.

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.

Appropriate training was provided and staff were supervised and supported. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and best interest decision making, when people were unable to make decisions themselves.

Communication was effective to ensure people, staff and relatives were kept up-to-date about any changes in people's care and support needs and the running of the service. There were opportunities for people to engage with the local community and all people were supported to maintain relationships that were important to them.

People had access to health care professionals to make sure they received appropriate care and treatment. Staff followed advice given by professionals to make sure people received the care they needed. People received a varied and balanced diet to meet their nutritional needs.

A complaints procedure was available. People told us they would feel confident to speak to staff about any concerns if they needed to. People had the opportunity to give their views about the service. The provider undertook a range of audits to check on the quality of care provided.