Background to this inspection
Updated
16 June 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check whether action had been taken following our last inspection where we made a recommendation relating to fire safety.
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 practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Harmony House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave the registered manager short notice of the inspection to ensure it was safe for us to visit the home.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We also contacted Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We carried out observations around the home and briefly chatted to people in communal areas. We spoke with the registered manager and deputy manager and reviewed a range of records and documentation including risk assessments, quality audits, policies and procedures.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found, this included the review of PEEPs and the fire risk assessment.
Updated
16 June 2021
About the service
Harmony House is a care home providing personal care to 33 people aged under and over 65 years. One part of the service provides care to 22 people with mental health needs and another part of the service provides care to 11 people with learning disabilities or associated conditions. The service can support up to 37 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service applied the full range of principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance apart from with regard to the size of accommodation. This was because 11 people lived in together in one part of the service, which was larger than current best practice. This ensured people who used the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. People received planned and co-ordinated individual support that was appropriate for them.
The home was a large, three storey building. Areas of the building were showing signs of wear and tear. Most risks to people’s safety including any environmental risks were well-managed. Where improvements to manage any risk and the environment were identified at inspection, the provider sent an action plan immediately after the inspection with planned dates for action.
We have made a recommendation that people's personal evacuation plans should be more regularly reviewed. This is in case people’s needs had changed and the building needed to be evacuated in an emergency.
Staff supported people to ensure they received care that helped them develop. Staff received training and support to help them carry out their role. People said they felt safe and were very positive about the care provided. Staff knew the people they were supporting very well. Detailed care plans were in place that documented how people wished to be supported. Staff had developed good relationships with people, were caring in their approach and treated people with respect.
Arrangements for managing people's medicines were safe. People enjoyed their meals and their dietary needs had been catered for. There were opportunities for people to follow their interests and hobbies. They were supported to be part of the local community.
Information was accessible to involve people in decision making about their lives. 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.
Regular audits and checks were carried out. There were opportunities for people, relatives and staff to give their views about the service. Processes were in place to manage and respond to complaints and concerns. People and staff were positive about the management of the service and felt valued and respected.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 9 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 re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.