Derby Heights Care Home

Derby Heights is a modern purpose-built residential care home in the village of Littleover on the outskirts of Derby. The service has 74 beds and specialises in the care of older people, some of whom are living with dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. The service provides spacious accommodation for people and has its own secluded gardens and patio areas. At the time of our inspection there were 67 people were living at the home.

We found the following examples of good practice.

COVID-19 screening was done before people were able to enter the home and personal protective equipment (PPE) was provided.

The home had an outbreak of COVID – 19 and was closed to non-essential visitors. People were supported to contact their relatives and friends through video calls and telephone calls and window visits during this time. During the outbreak essential care givers and the families of people receiving end of life care continued to visit, in line with Government guidelines

Enhanced cleaning schedules included regular cleaning of touch areas such as handrails and door handles. This reduced the risk of cross infection.

Staff received training in infection prevent and control and the use of PPE and handwashing. Staff’s competency and compliance in these areas was checked and staff were observed wearing PPE appropriately on the day of our visit.

Staff and people living in the service accessed regular testing for COVID-19, so that action could be taken swiftly if anyone developed symptoms or had a positive test result.

The infection prevention and control policy was up to date.

Derby Height is a modern purpose-built residential care service in the village of Littleover on the outskirts of Derby. The service has 74 beds and specialises in the care of older people, some of whom are living with dementia, mental health conditions, physical disabilities and sensory impairments. The service provides spacious accommodation for people and has its own secluded gardens and patio areas. At the time of our inspection there were 53 people living at the service.

At the time of our inspection the service did not have a registered manager in post. However an interim manager was in charge of the service, and shortly after our inspection visit a registered manager was appointed and in post. 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.

People said the staff were caring and kind. They told us they felt the staff knew them personally, understood how best to support them, and took a personal interest in them. Staff told us that good staffing levels and an established staff team enabled them to provide continuity of care.

During our inspection visit we saw staff continually consulting with people and asking them for their choices and preferences. Staff told us they encouraged people, and relatives where appropriate, to get involved in drawing up care plans and reviewing them. This helped to ensure that people were involved in their own care and support. Staff followed the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and understood the need for people to consent to their care.

People said the service was safe with friendly and caring staff. Staff were trained in safeguarding (protecting people who use care services from abuse) and knew how to report any concerns they might have both within the service and to outside agencies.

People told us staff protected them from accidents and incidents. The premises were designed to support independence and minimize risk with wide corridors and doorways, handrails, level non-slip flooring, and access to secure communal areas and gardens.

Most of the people we spoke with were satisfied with the staffing levels at the service. Staff told us they had enough time to meet people’s needs and also spend time talking and socialising with them. During our inspection visit call bells were answered promptly and people assisted in a timely manner. People told us they had their medicines when they needed them.

People and relatives told us the staff were well-trained and knowledgeable. They said the staff knew how to do their jobs, spoke respectfully to them, and that it was hard to find any fault with them or their care. Records showed that staff had extensive general and specialised training to help ensure they could meet people’s individual needs.

People said they liked the meals served and enjoyed the company at mealtimes. The food served was well-presented and plentiful. People chose their meals from the day’s menu, which was varied, or ordered an alternative from the kitchen if they wanted something different. If people needed discreet assistance with their meals staff provided this. The atmosphere at lunchtime was relaxed and sociable and the dining rooms well-staffed.

Local GPs ran a weekly surgery at the service and people and relatives said this was convenient for those who preferred not to travel to their medical appointments. Relatives said staff took their family members to medical appointments if they were unable to accompany them themselves.

People’s medical needs were assessed when they first came to the service and care plans put in place to help ensure these were met.

People told us staff provided them with personalised and responsive care. Care plans set out people’s needs so staff knew how best to meet them. Some care plans for people living with dementia were in need of improvement.

The service’s activity programme was designed to support people’s well-being and have a positive impact on ther physical, social, and psychological health. There was a good range of activities on offer including singalongs, weekly visits to a local church, visiting entertainers, coffee mornings, and trips out.

People told us they would speak out if they had any concerns or complaints about the service. They said they were confident that staff would listen to them. Records showed that staff responded positively to any complaints made and make improvements where necessary.

The service had a welcoming and homely atmosphere. The managers and staff were warm, friendly, and approachable. People, relatives and staff all commented on the high-quality of the premises which were non-institutional and immaculately clean and fresh throughout. The provider and management carried out quality audits to ensure the service was providing a good standard of care and support.