Khiron Clinics

Updated 26 November 2022

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

The inspection on site was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Khiron Clinics 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. Khiron Clinics 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 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 spoke with six members of staff, including the registered manager, lead clinical therapist, administrator, two support workers and the facilities manager. We spoke with three people about their experience of the care provided.

We reviewed a range of records. These included one person's care and medicines records. We looked at two staff records in relation to recruitment, training and other records relating to the management of the service, including audits, policies and procedures and quality assurance records.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at quality assurance and records relating to the management of the service. We contacted five external health care professionals and five staff to seek feedback

Updated 26 November 2022

About the service

Khiron Clinics is a care home without nursing, providing the regulated activity of ‘accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care’ for up to 10 people. The service provides support to adults over the age of 18. At the time of our inspection there were three people using the service.

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

People and staff commented about the use of agency staff. The registered manager acknowledged there had been quite a high use of agency staff, but this was reducing. Management made sure all agency staff had a full induction and understood the service before starting their shift. Staff were recruited in a safe manner.

Improvements were identified in respect of ensuring temperatures were checked to ensure safe storage. Staff used systems and processes to safely administer and record medicines had been received.

People said they felt safe in the service. All staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to identify adults at risk of, or suffering, significant harm. The provider completed risk assessments for each person pre-admission and on arrival, and reviewed these regularly, including after any incident. Managers investigated incidents and shared lessons learned with the whole team and the wider service.

There was a cleaning schedule in place which was up-to-date and showed that the premises were regularly cleaned.

Each person was assessed prior to admission to the clinic and on arrival to ensure they were suitable and safe to be supported by the clinic. Support plans and risk assessments were developed and updated as needed. Support plans reflected the assessed needs, were personalised, holistic and recovery oriented.

Staff had received a full induction, and the registered manager ensured staff kept up to date with their mandatory training which was designed to meet the needs of people.

People were encouraged to take responsibility for planning, preparing, and cooking their own meals. People’s individual dietary needs and preferences were respected.

The service ensured people had access to physical healthcare. People could register with a local GP or remain with their own GP’s if they preferred. Discharge was carefully planned.

The design, layout, and furnishings of the premises supported people’s privacy and dignity.

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 were treated with compassion and kindness. People said staff treated them well and behaved kindly. Staff understood the individual needs of people and supported them to understand and manage their support needs during their stay. The service involved people in care planning and risk assessment, and they had access to their support plans. Staff followed policy to keep people’s information confidential.

We had very positive feedback about the benefits people were experiencing, or had experienced, at the service. These included, “Overall, Khiron has without a doubt saved my life. The care is everything that personalised stands for and I will be forever grateful.” External professionals also commented that the service was focused on providing person-centred care and support and achieved exceptional results.

People using the service had access to the local community. The provider had several therapies on offer within their service, for example, mindfulness; meditation; yoga; tai chi and art therapy.

There was a complaints procedure accessible to people and on display around the premises. People knew how to complain or raise concerns.

The service had a positive culture that was person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering, achieving good outcomes for people. Staff said the team worked well together and they all respected each other’s views.

Governance processes ensured performance and risk were managed well. The registered manager understood their responsibilities in respect of having a good oversight of the service.

People and staff were encouraged to be involved in the service. All people received a questionnaire on discharge which was collected by the provider’s quality assurance officer and fed back into governance meetings to agree any actions.

Staff said they were able to contribute to the running of the service and make suggestions in team meetings. The management team reviewed and shared learning from incidents with the team via meetings and supervision.

We had mostly positive feedback from external professionals. One health body provided some feedback and we have commented on this in the Well Led section of the report.

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 9 September 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.