Normanhurst Care Home

Updated 26 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 COVID-19 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 15 March 2021 and was announced.

Updated 26 March 2021

This inspection took place on the 27 September and 2 October 2018 and was unannounced.

Normanhurst Care Home 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 home is registered to provide personal care and accommodation for up to 75 older people. At the time of the inspection there were 59 people living there. Most people were independent and had capacity to make decisions about the support and care provided; they went out into town and for meals with relatives and friends. Other people, due to frailty and health care needs, were assisted with personal care and mobilising around the home.

At the last inspection in August 2017 the overall rating for Normanhurst Care Home was Requires Improvement as more work was needed to ensure their quality assurance system identified areas where improvements were needed. at this inspection we found this had been addressed and the overall rating had improved to Good.

The registered manager was present during the inspection. 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. The providers for the service are Mr David Lewis and Mr Robert Hebbes. They also own Normanhurst Nursing Home and Normanhurst EMI Home.

The quality assurance system had been reviewed and areas for change had been identified and prioritised to drive improvement. The care planning process had been changed and an electronic system had been introduced, which was audited as part of their monitoring process. People were involved in writing and reviewing their care plans and decided with staff how much support they needed, based on their preferences. Regular resident’s meetings offered people opportunities to discuss the services provided at the home and put forward suggestions to develop them.

Activities had been developed and planned with people living in the home, which resulted in a range of group and one to one activities that people could participate in if they wished. People, visitors and staff clearly enjoyed these and they were comfortable in each others company.

Risk had been assessed and people were encouraged to be independent in a safe way, with the provision of walking aids and assistance from staff as required. Staff had completed relevant training, including infection control, medicines and safeguarding. They understood people’s needs; how to protect people from abuse and what action they could take if they had any concerns. Supervision and staff meetings ensured staff were up to date with current best practice and they had a good understanding of their and their colleague’s roles and responsibilities. Robust recruitment procedures meant only suitable staff were employed and there were enough staff working to provide the care people needed.

Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and consistently asked if people needed support or assistance. The CQC is required by law to monitor the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) which applies to care homes. DoLS applications had been requested when required to ensure people were safe.

From August 2016 all organisations that provide NHS care or adult social care are legally required to follow the Accessible Information Standard. The standard aims to make sure that people who have a disability, impairment or sensory loss are provided with information that they can easily read or understand so that they can communicate effectively. Staff were aware that people had different communication needs and could explain how they supported people to communicate.

People said the food was very good, choices were offered for each meal and snacks and drinks were available at any time. People kept in touch with relatives and friends. Relatives said they were always made to feel very welcome and participated in activities with their family members.