Sefton Hall

Updated 4 February 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 15 Janurary 2021 and was announced.

Updated 4 February 2021

Sefton Hall is a care home providing personal and nursing care to 45 people at the time of the inspection. It is registered for up to 50 people.

There was an experienced registered manager who was responsible for the home. 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 provider, Southern Healthcare, also has another care home in Exeter.

People received outstanding person centred and individualised care from a motivated, skilled and

exceptionally well led staff team. The provider had strong visions and values focused on maximising people's quality of life and cultivated a caring and supportive culture. Staff had embraced these values which were evident in all interactions. Without exception people and relatives spoke in high praise of the registered manager, provider and all of the staff team. One person summed this up by saying staff were “interested” in the people they cared for, and said about their choice of Sefton Hall, “Every day I thank my lucky stars.”

Staff at all levels were described as exceptionally caring and the provider encouraged staff and people to be kind in everything they did. Helping to celebrate people’s lives and achievements

had resulted in a caring culture at the home. Staff understood the needs of each individual person and regularly went the ‘extra mile’ to ensure people lived their positive lives. There were numerous examples of people's everyday lives being enhanced by creative, compassionate care with an extremely varied diary of social events.

People benefited from a balanced and varied diet available in a variety of settings, including a pub within the home. Emphasis was placed on the social aspect of meals to encourage people to eat and drink more in a calm and unrushed atmosphere. Those with specific health needs were supported by knowledgeable staff and external health professional advice.

The passion and motivation of the registered manager and senior staff created a committed staff team. These key members of staff supported nursing and care staff to provide an outstanding level of care to people through regular reflection and learning.

There had been a significant investment in staff training and development in best practice innovations which had resulted in improved outcomes for people, particularly those living with dementia. The service was constantly being adapted to meet the needs of people well and staff encouraged people to maintain their independence and life skills.

There were systems in place and oversight for monitoring the quality of care provided; some improvements were made during the inspection linked to environmental checks and some aspects of fire training. The staff team were continuously learning, developing and shaping the service, involving people living at the home in making changes.

Medicines were managed safely and in line with best practice guidance. The internal and external

environment offered varied, safe and meaningful engagement opportunities for people. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service acted as a foundation to this practice.

Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was outstanding (published August 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 reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.