Hawkhurst

Updated 4 July 2019

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

The inspection team consisted of one inspector 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

Hawkhurst is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as 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 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 six people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, two care staff and a cook.

We looked around the premises and reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We also contacted Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

Updated 4 July 2019

About the service

Hawkhurst is a residential care home providing personal care to 22 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 26 people. The service has two lounge and dining areas connected by a conservatory. There is a passenger lift to access bedrooms on the first floor. There is a mix of single and double bedrooms with three having en-suite facilities.

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

People told us they felt safe. Staff had completed training in safeguarding and knew their responsibilities. Robust recruitment systems and processes were in place and we found sufficient staff were available to meet people’s needs. The registered manager assessed and managed risks to people’s health and wellbeing, including risks within the environment. The provider had robust systems and processes to ensure medicines were managed 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's needs were assessed, and care was planned and delivered by staff with the appropriate skills and knowledge. The registered manager ensured staff were supported through regular training, supervisions and appraisals. People told us they enjoyed a healthy and balanced diet.

The service was caring. People told us they were supported by staff that were kind, caring and respectful. We observed kind and caring interactions from staff. There was a relaxed and homely atmosphere within the service. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and supported people to be as independent as possible.

The service was responsive to people’s needs. People had detailed care plans that were person-centred to meet their needs and wishes. A varied range of activities were available, including community outings. The registered manager ensured systems were in place to meet people’s needs at the end of their life.

People, staff and relatives told us the service was well-led. The registered manager was a visible presence within the service. The registered manager ensured they sought feedback about the service to drive and improve the service. Systems were in place to monitor the quality of care provided and continuously improve the service.

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 good (published 20 December 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.