Background to this inspection
Updated
21 October 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
Heathcotes Queens Park Lodge 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 the inspection
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.
We reviewed the information we held about the service on our internal systems. This included notifications received from them in relation to accidents, incidents or safeguarding concerns.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
People were unable to speak with us about their experience of the care they received. We did not use SOFI (Short Observational Framework for Inspection) as some people were affected by our presence. Instead we observed interactions from a distance between people and staff and spoke with two relatives following our inspection to gain their views. During our visit we spoke with four members of staff, which included the registered manager, the service manager and care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We asked for accident and incident analysis records, provider audits and training records.
Updated
21 October 2021
About the service
Heathcotes Queens Park Lodge provides accommodation and personal care to people who have a learning disability or autism. The service can accommodate up to eight people. At the time of our inspection, three people were living at the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were happy living at Heathcotes Queens Park Lodge. This was evident through their interaction with staff and how they responded to them.
Staff displayed a kind, caring and attentive approach towards people throughout our inspection and it was clear staff knew people well. They were able to describe people’s individuality to us and how people communicated with them through actions and expression.
People received the medicines they required and there were detailed descriptions for staff on how people liked to take their medicines. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s daily needs, such as personal care and social activities. Staff were seen following good infection control practices and the service was clean, tidy and well presented.
People’s care plans were comprehensive and gave staff all the information they needed about people. People had access to health care professional input when needed and they were provided with nutrition and hydration to help maintain a good level of health. Risks to people were identified and recorded and staff knew how to respond to these risks in order to keep people safe.
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.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support:
• Staff supported people in their independence and learning new life skills. We observed this during our inspection.
Right care:
• People were treated with respect and dignity by staff. Personal care was undertaken behind locked doors and staff gave people time on their own when they wanted it.
Right culture:
• The values and behaviours of staff demonstrated an approach that enabled people to live a fulfilling life. People were encouraged to maintain contact with people close to them as well as spend time taking part in their own interests and favourite pastimes.
The manager looked for ways to improve the service people received. Good governance arrangements were in place to help monitor the service and management demonstrated a responsive and open approach to any shortfalls identified.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
This service was registered with us on 03/04/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out as the service had not received an inspection since its registration with us.
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.