Holmlea Care Home

Updated 26 February 2022

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of CQC’s response to care homes with outbreaks of COVID-19, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practice is safe and that services are compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place. We also asked the provider about any staffing pressures the service was experiencing and whether this was having an impact on the service.

This inspection took place on 9 February 2022 and was announced the day before.

Updated 26 February 2022

Holmlea Care Home 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 home can accommodate 25 older people. When we inspected there were 22 people living at the home, some of whom were living with dementia.

At our last inspection in May 2016 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At this inspection we found the service remained good.

People and relatives told us they received very good care from kind and caring staff. We observed there were positive relationships between people, relatives and staff.

People, relatives and staff told us the home was safe. Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding and the provider’s whistle blowing procedure. They also knew how to report concerns if needed.

There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people’s needs. People confirmed staff responded quickly when they needed assistance.

Effective recruitment procedures were followed to ensure new staff were suitable to work at the service.

Medicines were managed safely. Accurate records were kept to confirm the medicines people had received from staff.

Incidents and accidents were logged and investigated. These were monitored periodically to identify trends and lessons learnt.

A range of checks and risk assessments were completed to maintain a safe environment.

Staff were supported well and received the training they needed, Records confirmed supervisions, appraisal and training were up-to-date.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff supported people to meet their nutritional needs.

Care records showed people had access to external healthcare services when required. This included GPs, district nurses, chiropodists and dentists.

People's needs had been fully assessed to identify the care they needed and wanted. This included any preferences people had relating to religion and end of life. This was used as the baseline for developing personalised care plans. Mental health care plans required additional information. Care plans were reviewed regularly and amended as people’s needs changed.

There were good opportunities for people to participate in activities if they wanted. Activities were on-going throughout our time at the home.

People and relatives knew how to complain. Previous complaints had been dealt with effectively.

People, relatives and staff gave us very positive feedback about leadership and management of the home.

The provider had a structured approach to quality assurance, which was effective in addressing issues.

There were good opportunities for people and staff to provide share their views about the home. Staff told us their views were valued and listened to.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.