Heathfield Care Home

Updated 9 April 2021

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 coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This was a targeted inspection looking at the infection control and prevention measures the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 11 March 2021 and was unannounced.

Updated 9 April 2021

About the service: Heathfield Care Home is a residential care home that provides personal and nursing care for up to 23 older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of the inspection, 22 people were living at the home.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

People’s experience of using this service:

People and their relatives felt the home provided a safe environment. Staff knew how to keep people safe. Risks to people were identified, assessed and managed safely; staff supported people to be as independent as possible. Sufficient staff were on duty to support people to stay safe and meet their needs. Medicines were managed safely. The home was clean and smelled fresh. Learning had taken place when things went wrong. For example, barriers had been installed on the main staircase to prevent people from falling.

People’s needs and choices were met by staff who knew them well. A relative said, “I am totally reliant on staff and can’t thank them enough for what they do”. Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and support and had completed a range of training. Staff had regular supervisions and appraisals.

People were happy with the food on offer and told us they particularly liked roast dinners. A relative said, “At Easter and Christmas they do a good spread, which is very nice”. People had access to a range of healthcare professionals and services. The home was comfortable and people could bring in their own furniture and decorate their rooms if they wished. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were looked after by kind and caring staff. Staff were patient and warm and provided reassurance if people became anxious or distressed. People were encouraged to be involved in all aspects of their care. They were treated with dignity and respect.

Care plans were personalised and reflected people’s preferences. Activities were planned based on people’s interests and hobbies. There were outings into the community and external entertainers visited the home. People’s diverse needs were met. A relative referred to their family member and said, “Staff dance for her and sing for her and it makes her smile”.

People and their relatives were asked for their feedback through questionnaires; all results were positive. Residents’ meetings took place and suggestions were listened to and acted upon. Staff felt supported in their roles and were complimentary about the management of the home. A range of audits were effective in identifying any actions needed to drive improvement.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection, this service was rated as Requires Improvement (published in April 2018).

Why we inspected: We were required to inspect this service within 12 months of the last inspection because of the rating of Requires Improvement. The provider sent us an improvement plan after the last inspection which outlined the actions they proposed to take to address the issues of concern. This inspection took place to check on the improvements made and in line with CQC scheduling guidelines for adult social care services.

Follow up: We will review the service in line with our methodology for ‘Good’ services.