The Heathers Nursing Home

Updated 11 March 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 included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements. 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 carried out by two inspectors.

Service and service type

The Heathers Nursing Home 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. The Heathers Nursing Home is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

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.

The service also had a home manager who was in the process of applying to register with us to take over the role of the registered manager.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. We telephoned the provider from outside the home to find out the COVID-19 status in the home and discuss the infection, prevention and control measures in place.

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 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 two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, the home manager, the trainer, office staff, nursing and care staff and a kitchen assistant.

We reviewed a range of records including four people’s care plans in detail and extracts from a further two and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found at the site visit. We reviewed records including the training matrix and spoke with an external professional who regularly worked with the home.

Updated 11 March 2022

About the service

The Heathers Nursing Home is a residential care home providing personal and nursing care for up to 47 people. At the time of our inspection there were 33 people using the service. The service provides support to people across two adapted floors some of whom are living with dementia.

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

People were supported by staff who were trained to recognise and report on harm or abuse. Risks to people were assessed and managed effectively and their medicines were managed in line with policies and procedures. Staff were safely recruited to ensure their suitability to work at the home. There were effective infection, prevention and control procedures in place and systems to maintain and review accidents and incidents.

People’s needs were assessed, and their care was delivered in line with their preferences. People were supported by staff who were trained and knew their individual needs. People were supported to maintain a balanced diet and access healthcare services as and when required. 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.

People were supported and treated well and were involved in their care. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and promoted their independence.

People received personalised care which included their choice and preferences. People’s communication needs were met, and the provider followed the Accessible Information Standard (AIS).

The home manager was aware there had been a reduction in activities, however they had employed a new activity lead to support increased activities for people. People were supported to maintain social relationships. People and their relatives did not have any concerns, although they knew how to raise them. The home manager reviewed and investigated any complaints they received. People’s future wishes were detailed in their care plans.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Staff promoted a positive person-centred culture, where staff were open and honest, and they understood their roles and responsibilities. People were supported by passionate staff and the home manager considered the views of staff, people living in the home and their relatives. Staff worked together with health and social care professionals.

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 on 17 August 2020 and this is the first inspection.

The last rating for the service under the previous provider was requires improvement (published on 20 June 2020).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a recent outbreak of COVID-19 and due to 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. This included checking the provider was meeting COVID-19 vaccination requirements.

Follow up

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