Hucknall and Watnall

Updated 5 December 2020

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 20 November 2020 and was unannounced.

Updated 5 December 2020

About the service

Heathcotes (Hucknall and Watnall) is a residential care home for people with learning disabilities, and or autism and complex mental health needs. The care was provided across two homes; Hucknall and Watnall. There were 14 people living at the service at the time of our inspection, seven people in each home.

The service was purpose built and in a gated community on a residential street. The service was registered for the support of up to 16 people. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the service being across two homes. There were deliberately no identifying signs and staff did not wear anything that suggested they were care staff when coming and going with people, in line with the principles of Registering the Right Support.

Peoples experience of using this service and what we found

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 applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

People were kept safe in the service by staff who were appropriately recruited and trained. Peoples risks were assessed and managed well. People were living in a home that was kept clean and free from infection. People were supported to have their medicines in a safe way.

Peoples needs were assessed and they were supported to live the healthiest lives they could. People were supported to eat and drink well. People could choose how to decorate their room and had access to communal areas and outdoor spaces.

People were cared for by kind and respectful staff. People were supported to express their views. Peoples privacy and dignity was upheld. People were encouraged to be as independent as they could.

Peoples care was planned in a personalised way. People were supported to continue to do things that were important to them. Peoples individual beliefs were respected. People were helped to maintain important relationships.

The service was well-led by the management team, they understood their duties and responsibilities. The provider had oversight of the running of the service to ensure quality care continued to be delivered.

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

The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 7 June 2019) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

This service has been in Special Measures since 7 June 2019. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.