We carried out a review of the data available to us about Highcroft Care Home on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Highcroft Care Home, you can give feedback on this service.
Highcroft Care Home is a residential care home providing personal care to older people living with dementia. The service can support up to 23 people in one building across two floors. At the time of our inspection there were 22 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We saw positive engagements between staff and people. People and their relatives told us staff looked after them well.
Medicines were overall managed well. Staff had training in the administration of medicines, there were policies and procedures in place. The Medicine Administration Records (MARs) we looked at had no unexplained gaps.
People were protected from abuse by staff who understood how to identify and report any concerns. Risk to people’s health and wellbeing had been assessed. Risk assessments in place gave staff guidance on how to minimise risks to people.
Recruitment checks had been carried out. There was enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs.
The premises were clean and tidy. Steps had been taken to protect people from the risk of infection. Appropriate fire safety arrangements were in place. Records showed maintenance had been carried out within the home.
Staff received appropriate training and they had the knowledge, skills and experience to support people. Staff had regular one to one meetings with their line managers. Staff said they enjoyed working at the home and the manager was very supportive and approachable.
Staff supported people to have a healthy and nutritious diet which was in line with their care plans and preferences.
There was a complaints procedure in place, we noted the service had not received any formal complaints within the last six months.
The home was managed effectively. Management monitored the quality and safety of the service to ensure it remained safe for people. Quality assurance systems were in place to enable management to monitor and improve the quality of the care being delivered.
Staff understood their responsibilities regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). 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.
During this inspection we carried out a separate thematic probe, which asked questions of the provider, people and their relatives, about the quality of oral health care support and access to dentists, for people living in the care home. This was to follow up on the findings and recommendations from our national report on oral healthcare in care homes that was published in 2019 called ‘Smiling Matters’. We will publish a follow up report to the 2019 ‘Smiling Matters’ report, with up to date findings and recommendations about oral health, in due course.
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 the service under the previous provider was good (published 21 April 2020).
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out as there is a new provider at this location.
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.
We found the following examples of good practice.
¿ The premises were clean and well maintained. Hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment (PPE) were available at the outside entrance before visitors entered the home. Visitors had a separate entrance to the care home to minimise the risk of infection. Visitors had their temperature taken and recorded, PPE was available and people were supported to follow the government's guidance on wearing PPE and social distancing.
¿ The provider had appropriate arrangements to test people and staff for COVID-19 and was following government guidance on testing. This ensured that people and staff were tested for COVID-19 in a consistent way in line with national guidance.
¿ The provider ensured that staff received appropriate training and support to help prevent the spread of infection. All staff had received regular training on infection control and the use of PPE. Staff were assigned to work at one location to help minimise the risk of cross infection. Staff wellbeing was supported if they became unwell and when they returned to work.
¿ The provider ensured that people using the service could maintain links with family members and friends. Family members and friends could stay in touch with people with phone and video messaging. The provider had a conservatory at the back of the premises with a separate entrance for relatives to visit people safely. The provider understood the communication needs of people.
¿ The provider sought support and advice from external agencies including the local authority, local care homes and Public Health England and was open to all advice and guidance offered to help keep people safe.