Background to this inspection
Updated
17 March 2021
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 Care Act 2014.
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 was carried out by two inspectors. One inspector visited the home for one day, and both inspectors reviewed documentation and made telephone calls to staff, families and professionals for four days.
Service and service type
Hill House is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
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 the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with twelve members of staff including the provider, nominated individual, the head of operations, registered manager, deputy manager and care workers. We spoke with two professionals who have regular contact with the home. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
17 March 2021
About the service
Hill House is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal care for up to 13 people. At the time of the inspection eight people were receiving support. The home supports adults including people over the age of 65, with various needs including learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder and a mental health diagnosis.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe and staff had good knowledge of safeguarding processes. There were enough staff to support people safely. Care plan and risk assessments were up to date and reviewed regularly. People received their medicines safely.
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 kindness and compassion. People’s privacy and dignity was maintained. People were encouraged to be independent.
Systems were effective for monitoring the quality and safety of the services provided. There was good involvement with community professionals. Staff knew how to raise concerns.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture. The service maximises people’s choice, control and independence. Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human Rights. Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.
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 this service was requires improvement (21 April 2020).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to whistleblowing and safeguarding concerns received. The concerns highlighted possible neglect, poor medicine management, environmental issues and allegation of abuse. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe and effective sections of this full report.
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 coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.