Archived: Highclere Care Home

Updated 15 February 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We carried out a comprehensive inspection at Highclere Care Home on 11 January 2017. The inspection was unannounced and was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we checked the information we held about the service, including data about safeguarding and statutory notifications. Statutory notifications are information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

We spoke with eight people and one regular visitor to the service. In addition we spoke with ten staff members that included a registered manager from another service who assisted us with the inspection. Also included in our discussions were the senior nurse, two nurses, four care workers, a hostess and the chef.

We reviewed the care records of six people who used the service to ensure they were reflective of people’s current needs. We examined five staff files and other records relating to the management of the service including, medication administration record sheets, staff rotas, training records and quality auditing records.

Updated 15 February 2017

Care service description:

Highclere Care Home is registered to provide accommodation and support for 41 people who require nursing or personal care, ranging from frail elderly, dementia care and nursing needs. The service is purpose-built and has good access to local amenities and transport services. At the time of our inspection there were 39 people using the service.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

Why we inspected – The inspection was prompted in part by concerns raised in relation to poor staffing levels at the service.

Risk List :

Insufficient Staffing levels

Rating at this inspection:

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated:

People felt safe. Staff had been provided with training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse. People had risk assessments in place to enable them to maintain their independence. Observations showed that staffing at the service was adequate to meet people’s needs. However this was not always delivered in a timely manner. Effective recruitment procedures were in place and medicines were managed safely.

Staff received training and supervision to enable them to carry out their roles and responsibilities. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had and staff supported people to access a variety of health professionals.

People said staff were kind and compassionate and staff knew about people’s preferences and personal histories. People’s views were listened to and they were actively encouraged to be involved in their care and support. Staff ensured that people’s privacy and dignity was upheld. Any information about people was respected and treated confidentially.

Comprehensive assessments were completed before people were admitted to the service. Care plans reflected how people’s needs should be met. There was a complaints procedure to enable people to raise complaints.

The service was led by a registered manager who had support from the provider. Quality monitoring systems were in place and a variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.