Hillsview - Blythswood Road

Updated 12 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 Care Act 2014.

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 carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Hillsview – Blythswood road is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. 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.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we already held about this service. This included details of its registration, previous inspection reports and any notifications of significant incidents the provider had sent us. 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 sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two members of staff, one care staff and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, one of whom had recently died, and multiple medicines 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.

We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed information sent by the provider about training and quality assurance. We received feedback over the phone from three relatives of people living at the service.

Updated 12 March 2022

Hillsview - Blythswood Road is a residential care home which was providing personal care to two people at the time of our inspection. All people living at the service were autistic or had learning disabilities. The service can support up to five people in one adapted building over three floors.

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

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Care was person centred with people at the heart of the care. People’s choices motivated staff in their roles and the provider wanted people to live empowered lives.

People were kept safe. There were systems in place to protect people from abuse. People’s risks were assessed and monitored. There were enough staff working at the service and recruitment processes were robust. Medicines were managed in a safe way. Staff had been trained to administer people’s medicines and administration was audited correctly. Infection control practice followed government guidance and the home was clean and well maintained. Lessons were learned when things went wrong as incidents were recorded and actions completed to keep people safe.

The service worked effectively. People’s needs were assessed so the service knew whether they could meet their needs; this was done in line with the law. Staff received induction and training and were supported in their role through one to one supervision. People were supported to eat, drink and maintain healthy diets. Staff worked with other agencies to ensure people received good care, including health care professionals. The provider had adapted the building to ensure it met people’s needs and people could decorate their rooms as they saw fit. 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. Deprivation of Liberties Safeguard (DoLS) documentation was up to date. People’s choices were respected, and decisions made in their best interests.

The service was caring. relatives told us staff were caring. People were supported to express their views. People’s privacy and dignity were respected, and their independence promoted.

The service was responsive. Care plans were person-centred, providing information about people’s individual needs and preferences. People’s communication needs were met. People were able to take part in activities they enjoyed. Complaints were responded to appropriately. People’s end of life wishes were only recorded if people or relatives requested it. We recommend the service follow best practice guidance on around and also record if they don’t want their end of life wishes to be recorded.

The service was well led. Relatives and staff spoke positively about management. Staff knew their roles. The manager understood duty of candour and fulfilled the service’s regulatory requirements. Quality assurance measures were appropriate. People, relatives and staff were able to be engaged with the service should they choose to be. The service worked with other agencies to the benefit of people using the service.

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 04 March 2021 and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by 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.

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about infection control. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

Follow up

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