Newbridge Hill

Updated 4 July 2019

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 carried out by one inspector who was supported by a registered British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. This was because people living at the service and some staff communicated using different types of sign language.

Service and service type

Newbridge Hill 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

We gave the service 48 hours notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small, and people are often out, and we wanted to be sure staff and people would be there to speak with us.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the 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.

What we did during the inspection

During the inspection with spoke with three people who lived at the service. The BSL interpreter supported us to communicate with people. We spoke with three members of staff, as well as the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and everyone’s medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, audits and health and safety documents were reviewed.

We considered this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.

What we did after the inspection

After the inspection we spoke with the friends and family of four people who used the service.

Updated 4 July 2019

About the service

Newbridge Hill is a residential care home which provides care for up to five people who are Deaf and who have additional complex needs, including learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection, five people were receiving care and support at the service.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

People were safe and protected from avoidable harm or abuse. Risk assessments were in place, although we noted that some radiators in some rooms were not covered. We have made a recommendation about risk assessing hot surfaces. The environment was homely, clean and well maintained and it met people’s needs. Plans were in place to refresh some areas of the building.

There were enough staff to meet the identified needs of people who lived at the service. Safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place. Staff received training and supervision to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to effectively support people and staff told us they felt well supported.

People living at the service took responsibility for their own medicines, but staff provided support and there were systems to ensure medicines were safely stored, recorded and disposed of.

People’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life. The service had an advanced understanding of people’s information and communication needs. People’s needs and preferences were assessed before they came to the service and these were regularly reviewed. Care plans gave guidance to staff about what people could do for themselves and how best to provide support.

People were supported to follow their interests and take part in a wide range of meaningful activities.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet and specific dietary needs were monitored. People accessed routine and specialist healthcare services as needed.

People were well supported and treated with dignity and respect. They were involved as partners in their care and relatives were included if people consented. People and their relatives were positive about staff.

Staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities and the service was consistently managed and well-led. Systems were in place to monitor and review quality and performance.

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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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 24 October 2018).

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.