Highbury Rise

Updated 20 October 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by 1 inspector.

Service and service type

Highbury Rise is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Highbury Rise is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location.. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from a health and social care providers. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We visited the service location on 7 September 2023. We spoke with 5 people and received feedback from 2 relatives. We reviewed feedback we had received from relatives for a recently completed monitoring process. We also spoke with 6 staff including the registered manager, regional manager and support workers. We received feedback from 1 health and social care professional.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people’s care records and a range of medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed. These included training records, incident records and quality assurance processes.

Updated 20 October 2023

About the service

Highbury Rise is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care to 20 people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 23 people.

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

People’s medicines were not always managed safely, while staff had been trained and audits were in place, we found systems did not always ensure records were accurate. When we visited there was a heatwave. We found the national heatwave plan was not consistently followed, and this placed people at risk. Management systems did not ensure these issues were identified or managed.

People told us they were happy and felt safe, and staff were kind. Relatives also told us they were happy with the care and support provided. Care plans were in place and staff knew people well. People told us they had enough to do. People were supported to eat well; however more frequency and accessibility was needed to ensure people had sufficient fluid intake during the heatwave.

Individual risks were assessed. Infection control measures were followed in most cases. However, some areas needed refurbishment due to chipped paintwork and carpets with malodours. The lift had been repeatedly breaking down which had meant people were frequently left in their rooms. Staffing was adjusted to manage this, but the reoccurring issue was causing frustration. The registered manager advised a new, and more efficient, lift company had been contracted to manage the issues.

People told us there were normally enough staff to assist them as needed, relatives agreed. Staff told us there was enough of them to meet people’s needs, however the lift issues had been adding a strain. Staff received training and regular supervision. They felt well equipped for their roles.

Complaints systems were used and people and their relatives told us they could speak up.

People, relatives, and staff were positive about the registered manager and how the service was run. There were regular meetings to share feedback and obtain views. There were audits and checks in place to manage the quality of the service.

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.

For more information, please read the detailed findings section of this report. If you are reading this as a separate summary, the full report can be found on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk

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.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 20 October 2017). The overall rating for the service has changed from good to requires improvement based on the findings of this inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Enforcement

We have identified breaches in relation to the safe care and treatment at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.