Hamilton Court

Updated 2 March 2021

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 coronavirus, we are conducting reviews to ensure that the Infection Prevention and Control practice was safe and the service was compliant with IPC measures. This was a targeted inspection looking at the IPC practices the provider has in place.

This inspection took place on 04 February 2021 and was announced.

Updated 2 March 2021

This inspection took place on 12 October 2018 and was unannounced. We last inspected this service in October 2015 where the service was given an overall rating of good. At this latest inspection the service remained ‘Good’

Hamilton Court is a care home which is registered to provide care to up to 13 people. People in care homes receive accommodation and personal care as a 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 specialises in the care of people with a learning disability and mental health support needs. On the day of our inspection there were 13 people living at Hamilton Court.

The service had a registered manager who was present during our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager understood their responsibilities about safeguarding and staff had received safeguarding training. The provider had effective procedures in place for managing the maintenance of the premises and appropriate health and safety checks were carried out.

Staff understood people who used the service, their relatives and the staff did not raise any concerns about staffing levels. The registered manager showed us a staffing rota and told us that staffing levels were arranged according to the needs of the people using the service.

We found that there were appropriate arrangements in place for the safe management, administration and storage of medicines. Records showed that managers carried out checks to make sure people had taken their medicines. Staff who administered medicines had received training in this.

People had their risks identified and detailed care plans to mitigate these risks. People were kept safe as there was sufficient staff to respond to their needs and keep them safe. People received their medicines as required. People were protected as appropriate checks were completed on staff before they commenced work.

People’s consent was sought by staff where ever possible, and all staff understood they should gain people’s consent where possible. Where people were deprived of their liberty for reasons of safety this was agreed with the local authority so that the least restrictive options were used.

Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence. People were given choices by staff to participate in activities. People who used the service had access to food and drinks and were supported to have food they enjoyed.

People, their relatives and health care professionals had been involved in the planning for their care needs. Care plans and risk assessments provided clear information and guidance for staff on how to support people to meet their needs.

People and relatives had confidence that they or their loved ones would receive a good standard of care. The provider had systems to allow them to monitor and improve the service as well as ensure potential risks were well managed. People’s views were sought by the provider and these were acted upon. Most staff felt well supported by the management team. The provider understood their legal responsibilities and how to maintain a current knowledge of any changes in the law or social care.