Background to this inspection
Updated
13 March 2020
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Highfield Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the safety and quality of care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since they registered with CQC. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people who lived at Highfield Residential Home about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the manager and registered manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medicines records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
Updated
13 March 2020
About the service
Highfield Residential Home is residential care home providing personal and nursing care to 21 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 23 people. The service is a three storey Victorian House in Birchington.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People told us they felt safe and happy living at the service. They told us they had support from staff when they needed it. People were supported by enough staff. The registered manager monitored the staffing levels and adjusted this according to people’s changing needs. Staff had been safely recruited. Robust checks were completed to make sure new staff were safe to work with people.
People were supported to stay safe. Staff completed regular training about how to keep people safe, including how to support people to move safely. Risks to people’s health, safety and welfare were assessed and measures taken to reduce risks. People had they medicines on time and as prescribed. Medicines were stored, managed and disposed of safely. Staff competency was regularly assessed to make sure they followed best practice.
People lived in a service that was kept clean and tidy and was free from unpleasant odours. People were able to personalise their rooms with their photos, pictures and ornaments to make them homely. People had access to all areas of the service including a garden.
People’s needs were assessed before they moved to the service to make sure staff could meet their needs. People were supported to stay as healthy as possible and eat a balanced diet. People enjoyed their meals, which were social occasions, and were offered a variety of choices. They were referred to health care professionals, when needed, for advice and guidance which staff followed.
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.
People had built strong relationships with each other and staff. Staff were kind, patient and caring and knew people and their relatives well. Staff had time to spend with people and were not rushed. Throughout the inspection they displayed a genuine care and affection for people. People felt valued and well supported. People’s privacy and dignity were respected, and their independence was promoted.
People were encouraged to stay busy. Some people chose to help with household chores, such as folding laundry. Regular meaningful activities were offered, such as baking cakes and crafts sessions. There were visiting singers and exercise classes. The activities co-ordinator spent time with people on a one-to-one and group basis. This made sure people did not become socially isolated.
People told us they did not have any complaints about their care and support. They knew how to complain and were confident action would be taken to address any concern. The complaints process was given to each person when they moved to the service and was available in an easy to read format. People were asked at regular residents’ meetings about their satisfaction.
The service was well-led. The registered manager was supported by a manager and team of staff who worked cohesively to provide people with a good quality of service. There was an open and transparent culture where people and staff valued each other. Regular checks on the quality of service were robust and effective. The registered manager welcomed feedback about the service to enable them to continually drive improvements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 09 April 2019 and this is the first inspection.
The last rating for this service was Good (published 31 January 2017). Since this rating was awarded the provider has altered its legal entity. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on inspection programme.