Heatherwood Care Centre

Updated 25 March 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

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

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

Heatherwood Care Centre is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing and/or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement dependent on their registration with us. Heatherwood Care Centre is a care home without nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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 (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people using the service and 1 relative. We asked them for their views about the safety and quality of care and support provided at the service. We observed interactions between people and staff to understand people’s experiences. We spoke with the registered manager, the quality assurance lead, the nominated individual who was a director, four care workers and the chef. We reviewed a range of records. This included 3 people's care records, records relating to medicines management, 3 staff recruitment files, and other records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 25 March 2023

About the service

Heatherwood Care Centre is a care home providing personal care to up to 23 people. The service provides support to older people, some of whom are living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 14 people using the service. Since the last inspection the service stopped nursing care and was now providing only residential care to people.

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

People received safe care at Heatherwood Care Centre and risks to people’s care were assessed and managed well. Staff were trained in safeguarding as part of their induction and again annually. The registered manager reported any allegations to the local authority safeguarding team and reviewed any lessons from safeguarding investigations, accidents and incidents and feedback on the service to improve. There were enough staff to care for people and recruitment practices were as expected in checking staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Health and safety checks were carried out of the premises and equipment to make sure they were safe. The premises were clean, tidy and hygienic and staff followed current infection control and hygiene practice to reduce the risk of infections.

The service was managed well and the registered manager was skilled and experienced and understood their role, as did all staff we spoke with. The registered manager and quality lead had good oversight of the service with regular checks and reviews to ensure people received high quality care. Communication with people, relatives and staff was good and their feedback was used as part of improving the service. Staff were well supported. Care was provided in a person-centred way. The service improved the environment following best practice advice relating to people living with dementia and a redecoration programme was underway to improve further. Good relationships were in place with local and national organisations and healthcare professionals.

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

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection the service was rated good (report published January 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

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 COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.