Nottingham Brain Injury Rehabilitation and Neurological Care Centre

Nottingham Neurodisability Service Hucknall is a care home that provides nursing and personal care for up to 71 adults with an acquired brain injury and other complex neurological conditions. At the time of the inspection 52 people lived at the home. The service is provided over three units across two floors, part of the home was under refurbishment therefore not all areas of the home were accessible to people using the service.

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

Infection and prevention control measures had been reviewed frequently in order to protect people from the risk of transmission of COVID-19, however we found some areas of the home required deeper cleaning. The registered manager was receptive to our feedback and acted immediately to ensure all areas of the home were clean.

People were protected from the risk of abuse and neglect. Risks were managed, monitored and risk reduction measures were in place when risks were identified. People received their prescribed medicines safely. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough suitably qualified staff deployed to meet the complex needs of people. Lessons were learnt when things went wrong. The registered manager carried out in depth incident investigation and analysis to ensure people were protected from the risk of harm.

People’s complex nutritional needs were effectively managed and specialist advice and training had been sought when needed. Staff were trained and competent and care was delivered in line with best practice guidance and the law. 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.

Staff supported people in a dignified way and their privacy was respected. People and their relatives told us they were supported by kind and caring staff. Staff communicated with people respectfully in a format they could understand.

People and their relatives were involved in planning their care. The registered manager was open and honest when issues occurred, they responded and acted upon complaints in a timely manner. People were supported to spend their time undertaking their preferred activities. End of life care plans detailed peoples spiritual and cultural wishes and directed staff in how to support people who were nearing the end of their lives.

Quality assurance and monitoring systems were in place to help drive improvements at the service. The registered manager was aware of their legal responsibilities and had built excellent working relationships with health and social care professionals. Relatives told us the registered manager and individual unit managers were visible, communicated well and without exception would recommend the home to others.

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 on 9 February 2018. This provider was registered with us on 5 March 2021 and this is the first inspection.

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.