Background to this inspection
Updated
23 January 2020
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was conducted by one inspector.
This service provides care and support to people living in specialist ‘extra care’ housing. Extra care housing is purpose-built or adapted single household accommodation in a shared site or building. The accommodation is bought or rented and is the occupant’s own home. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for extra care housing; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support service.
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.
What we did before the 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. We did not request a provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager and the head of extra care.
We spent time in communal areas talking to people at length and asking them about their care and support. We also observed staff interaction and relationships with people. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
23 January 2020
About the service
Hazelmere is an extra care service and people using the service live in their own self-contained apartments. The service supported 17 people at the time of our inspection. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Everyone told us they felt safe receiving care from the staff. Most people safely managed their own medications, staff assisted some people to apply creams. Staff were recruited safely and followed infection control procedures. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed regularly or when needed.
People told us they were supported with their meals, and most people ate together in the restaurant. Staff were trained and supervised. 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.
Documentation was stored securely, and people’s independence and choice was promoted within their care plans. People commented on the caring nature of the staff, and we spent time talking to people, talking to staff and observing engagement where possible.
People were supported in a person centred way. People’s background and preferences for support were well documented in their care plans and staff knew people well. People told us they knew how to complain. Staff were trained in end of life care and support.
There was a registered manager in place and people spoke positively about them. The registered manager was aware of their roles and responsibilities. People had been engaged with and asked for their feedback, and there was good partnership working between The Human Support Group and the housing provider. Audits took place and action plans were developed and allocated.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us in December 2018 and this is the first inspection.
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.