Background to this inspection
Updated
8 February 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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
Our inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
Heathvale 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 announced. We called the service just before our inspection to check the COVID-19 status of people and staff. The inspection activity started on 23 November 2021 and ended the same day.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed the information we had received about the service including any statutory notifications received and 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection
During the inspection
We spoke with the registered manager, three people and two staff. We reviewed a range of records including care and staff records and those relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
8 February 2022
About the service
Heathvale House is a residential care home for people with complex mental health needs, substance abuse and/ or acquired brain injury. The service provides personal care to up to nine people. At the time of the inspection there were nine people receiving care from the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received the right support in relation to risks, such as those relating to their mental health needs and any complex behaviours used to communicate needs. There were enough staff to support people safely and the provider checked staff were safe to work with people through suitable recruitment checks. Staff received training in infection control practices, including the safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE), to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Staff supported people to manage their medicines as expected. The provider carried out the necessary health and safety checks of the premises.
People were supported by staff who received the training and support they needed to meet people’s needs. People were supported to maintain their mental health and staff monitored key indicators of people’s physical health. People received food and drink of their choice. The service was adapted to meet people’s needs. 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 comfortable with the staff who supported them and staff knew them well. People received consistency of care from staff who knew them well and checked their care was meeting their needs. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect. People were involved in their care and their care plans were based on their individual needs and preferences. People were encouraged to raise any concerns or complaints and a suitable complaints policy was in place. Staff supported people to develop their living skills so they could live more independently in the future.
The registered manager understood their role and responsibilities, as did staff. The registered manager engaged and consulted well with people using the service, relatives and staff. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager. A system of audits was in place to check people received a good standard of care and the home was run in line with the regulations and best practice. The registered manager notified CQC of significant events as required by law.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection
At our last inspection in October 2017 we rated the service Good.
Why we inspected
The service was selected to be inspected as part of our programme to monitor how low risk service are affected by our new inspection programme. 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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.