Background to this inspection
Updated
4 February 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 the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking at how services manage infection control and visiting arrangements. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider had 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 28/01/2022 and was announced. We gave the service one day’s notice of the inspection.
Updated
4 February 2022
About the service
Hillcroft Lancaster is a nursing home providing personal care to 19 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service is registered to support up to 20 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were provided with a nutritious and varied diet. However, care plans did not consistently reflect people’s dietary needs. We have made a recommendation about the documentation of people’s nutritional needs.
The registered manager completed regular audits and checks, which ensured appropriate levels of quality and safety were maintained at the home. However, not all activity was recorded to reflect the support delivered and allow oversight of the service delivered. We have made a recommendation the registered manager follow good practice guidance on the clear and measurable documenting of all regulated activities.
People's needs were assessed, and care and support had been planned in partnership with them and their relatives. Staff had received regular training and supervision to support them to meet people's needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were protected from the risk of abuse and avoidable harm by staff who understood how to recognise and respond to concerns. Relatives told us they felt their family members were safe at Hillcroft Lancaster. Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. People were safely supported to receive their medicines as prescribed.
People and their relatives were positive about the service and said staff were kind and caring. People were treated with dignity and respect and their right to privacy was upheld. The service could provide people with information about local advocacy services, to ensure they could access support to express their views if they needed to. The registered manager worked in partnership with people’s advocates.
People received person-centred care which was responsive to their needs. People's communication needs had been assessed and where support was required these had been met. The registered manager managed people's concerns and complaints appropriately.
The service worked in partnership with a variety of agencies to ensure people received all the support they needed. People were happy with how the service was managed. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 08 June 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 re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.