Highclere Care Home

Updated 17 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 CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 03 March 2021 and was announced ten minutes before entering the building. This allowed us to discuss risk factors related to COVID-19 before the inspection commenced.

Updated 17 March 2021

About the service

Highclere Care Home is a residential care home providing accommodation and personal and nursing support for up to 40 people. It also supports people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 29 people using the service.

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

People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, neglect and discrimination. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks.

People received support from staff who had undergone a robust recruitment process. They were supported by regular live-in staff who knew them and their needs well, which promoted continuity of care. People’s medicines were safely managed. Systems were in place to control and prevent the spread of infection.

People’s needs and choices were fully assessed before they received a care package. Staff received an induction and ongoing training which enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain their health and well-being. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and access healthcare services.

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.

The service had a welcoming atmosphere where visitors were welcomed and encouraged. Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well and had built up kind and compassionate relationships with them.

People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of people’s care and support. People's privacy and dignity were always maintained.

Care plans were detailed and supported staff to provide personalised care. People were encouraged to take part in a variety of activities and interests of their choice. There was a complaints procedure in place and systems to deal with complaints effectively. The service provided appropriate end of life care to people when required.

There was a new manager in post who was going through the registration process with the Care Quality Commission. They were committed to the continuous improvement of the service and the care provided. The provider had completed an action plan for the service based on a local authority monitoring visit. This had been fully completed and improvements had been made.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and actions were taken, and improvements were made when required. The service worked in partnership with outside agencies. Staff, people using the services and relatives were encouraged to provide feedback which was analysed and acted upon to drive improvements.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 06 March 2018).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.