Harker House

Updated 30 March 2021

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of the CQC response to the coronavirus pandemic we are looking at the preparedness of care homes in relation to infection prevention and control. This inspection took place on 25 February 2021. This was an announced, targeted inspection looking at the infection prevention and control measures the provider has

in place and seeking to identify examples of good practice.

Updated 30 March 2021

About the service: Harker House provides care for up to 38 people. This includes a separate wing which supports people living with dementia. The service was providing personal care to 29 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service:

There were enough, suitably recruited staff who worked well as a team to ensure people received the care and support they needed.

Staff received an induction and ongoing training and support to fulfil their role and extend their knowledge.

Staff had a good understanding of how to recognise and report potential harm or abuse and were confident the acting manager and provider would take action in line with local safeguarding procedures.

Staff were very kind and caring and had good relationships with people. They understood people's needs and preferences and provided personalised care. People had a choice of meals and enjoyed a varied and balanced diet.

People made their own choices about where they spent their time and had the opportunity to participate in a range of recreational and social activities.

People and their relatives were fully involved in developing and updating their planned care. People who lacked capacity were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives.

There was a registered manager who was away from the service; it was being managed by an acting manager and deputy manager. People and their relatives were positive about the management of the service and knew how to raise any concerns and complaints should they have had any.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: The rating at the last inspection was ‘Good’. The last report for Harker House was published on 15 July 2016.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous ratings.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.