The Hawthorns

Updated 22 April 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.

Service and service type

The Hawthorns 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 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. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people's care records We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service such recruitment records, health and safety records, meeting minutes, training records and audits. We spoke with the registered manager, area manager, team leader, two support staff and one domestic member of staff.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two relatives who regularly visit the service.

Updated 22 April 2021

About the service

The Hawthorns is a residential care home providing personal care to 20 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to 39 with age related conditions, some of whom were also living with dementia.

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

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. Overall, we were assured that people were being kept safe.

The registered manager was aware of current PPE guidance and staff had received infection control training. However, we observed two staff were not always wearing PPE during interactions with people. The registered manager took prompt action to address this.

Safe recruitment procedures were in place. The training matrix clearly showed all training undertaken. Staff told us they attended regular staff meetings and felt well supported by the manager.

Governance systems were used to identify areas for development and improvement. Audits were regularly and consistently completed in all key areas of the service. The staff and management team worked closely with health and social care professionals to ensure good outcomes for people.

Medication was managed safely by trained and competent staff. Medication administration records (MARs) were fully completed and regularly reviewed. Medicines policies and procedures were available for staff along with best practice guidance.

People were protected from the risk of abuse. Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and staff had received training on how to keep people safe. Staff told us they felt confident to identify and raise any concerns they had about people's safety. They believed prompt action would be taken.

Family members told us they felt their relatives were safe living at the home and felt confident they would be contacted if staff had any concerns. People appeared happy with the home and the staff that provided their care.

Staff assessed and reduced risks as much as possible, and there was equipment in place to help people remain as independent as possible.

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 (published 7 December 2020).

Why we inspected

We received concerns in relation to staff conduct, moving and handling training, and the procedure for admitting people in to the home during the pandemic. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe and well-led only.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.

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.

The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection. The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for The Hawthorns on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Follow up

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