Hazelgrove Care Home

Updated 11 March 2022

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 care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 23 February 2022 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Updated 11 March 2022

About the service: This service supports older people, some of who may be living with dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 33 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service:

The provider met the characteristics of ‘Good’ in all areas. More information about this is in the full report.

Some people raised concerns about the numbers of staff available to support them. Analysis of call bell response times showed that call bell requests were normally answered quickly. During the inspection, we did note that there were enough staff to meet people’s needs. However, the registered manager told us they would review how staff were deployed to reassure people that staff were available for them when needed. The risks to people’s health and safety were assessed. However, the level a person’s bed was set to did not relate to the required setting within their care record. This could have placed their safety at risk.

People felt safe at the home and staff understood how to protect them from avoidable harm. People’s medicines were managed safely, and staff understood how to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Processes were in place to investigate and to learn from accidents and incidents.

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.

People received support in line with their assessed needs. Although we did find one area of pressure care management that needed to be completed more thoroughly to ensure the person’s healing pressure sore was monitored effectively.

Staff training was largely up to date and they received on-going assessment of their practice. People received the support they needed to maintain a healthy diet. People at risk of weight loss or gain and dehydration were referred to health specialists. People had access to other health and social care agencies where needed. The environment had been adapted to support people living with dementia and/or a physical disability.

Most people found staff to be kind, caring and respectful. People felt they were treated with dignity and respect. People’s independence was encouraged. People were supported to make decisions about their care. The home offered a caring environment for those living with dementia. People’s records were stored securely to protect their privacy.

People’s care records contained guidance for staff to provide person-centred care and support. We found one issue in relation to the guidance to support a person with their diabetes. People were supported to take part in the activities, hobbies and interests that were important to them. People living were dementia were offered opportunities to take part in tasks that were interesting to them and/or relevant to their past. Complaints were responded to in line with the provider’s complaints policy. End of life care plans were in place where needed.

Audits were effectively used to assist the registered manager and the provider in identifying and acting on risks in an effective and timely manner. The performance of the registered manager was assessed by regular reviews carried out by representatives of the provider. Most people felt the registered manager would act on concerns raised. Staff felt supported by the registered manager. People and relatives had been given the opportunity to give their views about how the service could develop and improve.

There was a continued focus on learning, development and improvement. The registered manager had a good understanding of the regulatory requirements of their role.

Rating at last inspection:

At the last inspection the service was rated as Good (Report published 23 November 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up:

We will continue to review information we receive about the service until the next scheduled inspection. If we receive any information of concern, we may inspect sooner than scheduled.