Highfield Hall

Updated 13 September 2022

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

The inspection was undertaken on the first day by three inspectors and an expert by experience and one inspector on the second and third day. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

Highfield Hall 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. Highfield Hall is a care home with nursing care. Prior to our inspection the provider had closed the nursing unit and was intending to apply to CQC to deregister the nursing part of their registration. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. The nominated individual had started the application process to register with CQC as the registered manager for the service on a temporary basis, until a new permanent manager was recruited and inducted.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced on the first and third day.

What we did before the inspection

The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and sought feedback from the local authority. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 12 people living at the home and five visiting relatives. We also spoke with 12 members of staff including; interim manager, chef, unit managers, activity coordinators, housekeeper, care staff and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We had a tour of the building and spent time observing how people were supported. We reviewed a range of records including five people’s care documentation, three staff files and a sample of people’s medication records. We also reviewed a range of records relating to the management of the service including audits and policies and procedures.

Updated 13 September 2022

Highfield Hall is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care to up to 75 people. At the time of our inspection there were 47 people using the service.

People’s 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.

Staff had received safeguarding training and were aware of their responsibilities. Risks to individuals, staff and within the environment were identified and well managed. There were safe systems of recruitment in place. We received mixed feedback regarding staffing. The provider had recently taken action to improve levels and consistency of staffing. People received their medicines as prescribed. Risks associated with COVID-19 were well managed. On the first day of our inspection some staff were observed wearing face masks incorrectly. Managers took immediate action and throughout the rest of our inspection all staff were observed to wear face masks correctly.

People’s needs were assessed, and clear support plans and risk assessments were in place to guide staff. Staff received the induction, training and support they needed to carry out their roles. People’s nutritional needs were met. The home was clean and there was a programme of redecoration and building improvements in place.

Most people told us staff were caring and spoke positively about living at the home. One person said, “The staff work hard. They are nice and pleasant.”

There was a range of activities on offer for people both within the home and in the wider community, which people told us they enjoyed. There was an appropriate system in place to manage complaints.

The nominated individual and provider had good oversight of the service and demonstrated a clear passion and commitment to improving the quality of the service. The nominated individual had started the application process to register with CQC as the registered manager for the service on a temporary basis, until a new permanent manager was recruited and inducted.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 12 August 2021).

Why we inspected

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.

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about staffing, safeguarding, management of falls, medicines management and pressure care. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns.

Follow up

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