Hillsview - Eastwood House

Hillsview Eastwood House is a 20 bedded service for people with mental health needs, physical disabilities, or dementia. At the time of our inspection, there were 16 people using the service.

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

People felt safe using the service and were protected from abuse because the staff knew how to identify and report concerns. Risks to people were assessed and reviewed regularly. People were supported to make decisions and choices in relation to their care and support. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staffing levels were sufficient to ensure people received appropriate support to meet their needs. There were systems in place for the monitoring and prevention of infections. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they cared for. Systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely, as prescribed by their doctor.

People received personalised care and support that was tailored to their individual needs. Care plans had sufficient information for staff on how to deliver care and support to people, in accordance with their wishes. People and their relatives knew they could speak with staff or the management team if they had any concerns. Staff encouraged people to take part in activities of their choice and this helped to ensure they were not socially isolated. The provider had a complaints policy in place which included who to contact to raise a complaint and how it would be dealt with.

The manager was approachable and worked with the staff to ensure people were supported appropriately. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and to identify shortfalls or areas for improvement. People who used the service, their representatives and staff were asked for their views about the service and they were acted on. People and staff felt there was a good atmosphere and an open culture in the service. The manager worked closely with other health and social care professionals to ensure people’s changing needs were met.

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 on 18 May 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.

Follow up

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

Hillsview – Eastwood House 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.

Hillsview Eastwood House is a 20 bedded service for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities, physical disabilities or dementia. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. At the time of our inspection, eleven people were living in the home, including one person who was receiving respite care for a short period.

The home had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the home. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the associated regulations on how the home is run. The registered manager was not available on the day of our inspection but we were assisted by the general manager.

During our inspection, we found that people were not always supported to engage in individual activities of their choice. We have made a recommendation for the provider to look into developing more personalised activity plans with people because some people told us they did not have many things to do during the day.

Staff treated people with respect. People's privacy and dignity were maintained. We saw that staff supported people patiently and were attentive to their needs. They engaged with people in a kind and considerate manner.

People received safe care. Risks to them were identified and there was guidance in place for staff to minimise these risks. People were supported by staff who had received training to provide a safe and effective service. Staff knew procedures to follow to ensure people were protected from abuse.

There were sufficient numbers of staff on duty to provide care and support to people. Staff were recruited appropriately and the necessary pre-employment background checks were carried out to determine they were suitable to work in the home. They received training to enable them to carry out their roles.

Systems were in place to ensure medicines for people were administered safely and when needed. Medicines were stored securely and were only administered by staff who were trained.

Equipment and installations in the home were safe to use. They were maintained and serviced annually, although we noted during our inspection that a gas safety test was overdue. However, this had been arranged to take place the following day.

People lived in an environment that was clean, safe and suitable for their needs. Infection control procedures were in place. Accidents or incidents that took place were reported and lessons were learned to prevent any reoccurrence.

People’s nutritional needs were met. Staff worked with health and social care professionals, such as community psychiatric nurses and GPs, to ensure that people remained healthy and well.

People were supported to have choice and remain as independent as possible. The service was compliant with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). Staff understood the principles of the MCA and had received training on this.

People were involved in decisions about their care where they had capacity. Relatives and social care professionals ensured decisions made on their behalf were in their best interest.

People and relatives were able to provide feedback to staff on the quality of the service and make suggestions about what they wanted from the home.

Staff told us there was a positive culture and felt supported by the management team. They received regular supervision to monitor their progress and development in their work.

The registered manager had implemented systems to ensure the home was monitored regularly. Audits and checks on staff, records and the premises were carried out by the management team to maintain the quality and standard of the home.