Hawkhurst House Proactive Assessment Unit

Updated 23 June 2023

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

This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector and 2 Experts by Experience. 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

Hawkhurst House Proactive Reablement Unit (PRU) 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. Hawkhurst House PRU is a care home with nursing care. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we received about the service. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as serious injuries. 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 9 people who used the service and 10 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We observed multiple interactions between people and staff throughout the day. We spoke with 9 members of staff including the registered manager, compliance manager, nurses, care workers and wellbeing lead. We also spoke with 2 healthcare professionals who work with the service. We reviewed a range of records including 6 peoples’ care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed including recruitment files, health and safety checks, meeting notes, training records and audits.

Updated 23 June 2023

About the service

Hawkhurst House Proactive Reablement Unit (PRU) is a care home providing accommodation with personal and / or nursing care for up to 31 people. The service is split into two areas. One area mainly provides short term nursing care for people awaiting assessments of ongoing care and support needs from health and social care teams. The other area provides a short-term rehabilitation service with the aim of preparing people to return home to live independently. In the last 3-month period 27 people had been admitted to the service. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the service. The service was arranged across one floor and people had access to communal lounges, dining room and a fully equipped gymnasium to support people to return to their maximum mobility where possible.

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

People told us they felt safe and were happy in Hawkhurst House PRU. One person said, “Oh yes, I do feel safe here.” Another person told us, “There are so many good things, the staff are very kind and will always help. I don’t think you can improve it.” Relatives agreed their loved ones were safe.

Medicines were managed well, and lessons were learned when things went wrong. The service had good infection control measures in place. There were enough staff deployed to safely meet peoples’ needs. Staff had received appropriate training, including additional training in reablement skills.

People received care in a respectful manner which promoted their dignity and encouraged independence. Privacy was maintained and people told us staff asked for their consent before supporting with personal care or other tasks. One person told us, “The staff are very friendly and respectful.”

People enjoyed the food and their dietary needs and preferences were met. People told us the menu was varied and they had choices, but if they wanted something else they could just ask. People told us they were offered drinks throughout the day and staff always asked them what they wanted.

Doctors visited the service several times a week and people were supported by physiotherapists or occupational therapists if this was required. There were regular team meetings with other health and social care professionals.

There were quality assurance processes in place to monitor the service and regular audits were undertaken in areas such as, infection control and medicines. People and staff told us the registered manager was supportive and approachable with an open-door policy and the service was well managed.

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.

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 18 January 2022, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about the 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 the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

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