Holmhurst Care Home

Updated 16 August 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors.

Service and service type

Holmhurst Care Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Holmhurst Care Home is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there were 2 registered managers in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed notifications and other information we had received about the service since the last inspection.

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 7 people who used the service. We spoke with the director of the service and 3 members of staff. We observed people’s care and support in the shared areas of the home.

We reviewed a range of records. These included 3 people’s care plans and multiple medication records. We looked at 3 staff records in relation to recruitment. A variety of records related to the management of the service were reviewed.

Updated 16 August 2023

About the service

Holmhurst Care Home is a residential care home providing personal and accommodation to up to 17 people. The service provides support to people with a mental health condition. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people using the service. Accommodation was spread over 3 floors accessible via stairs.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were protected against risks to their safety and wellbeing, including the risk of abuse and unsafe care. Everyone we spoke with said they felt safe and did not worry about who to speak to if they had a problem. There were sufficient suitable staff deployed to support people safely. People's medicines were administered safely and in line with their prescription. We were assured the provider’s infection, prevention and control processes and practices kept people safe from infection.

People's needs and choices were assessed, and care, treatment and support were delivered in line with guidance to achieve effective outcomes. People were supported by staff with the relevant skills and knowledge. People’s dietary and hydration needs were being met. The provider worked with other services and agencies to make sure people had access to the healthcare services they needed.

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 supported this practice.

There were positive, caring relationships between people and the staff who supported them. The provider supported people to be involved in decisions about their care and support where they wanted to. Staff respected and promoted people's privacy, dignity and independence.

People's care and support reflected their needs and preferences. People could access leisure activities and interests both independently and with support from staff. People were happy with the service they received but knew how to complain if they needed to.

There were management systems in place, and staff were motivated in a relaxed, and supportive atmosphere. There were internal and external systems to monitor, improve and sustain the quality of service people received. The provider made improvements during the inspection based on our findings. People who used the service were engaged positively by the provider. The provider worked actively with other agencies where this could lead to improvements in the service people received.

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 3 November 2018)

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Holmhurst Care Home on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.