Hillcrest Residential Home

Updated 14 November 2020

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 the coronavirus pandemic we are conducting a thematic review of infection control and prevention measures in care homes.

The service was selected to take part in this thematic review which is seeking to identify examples of good practice in infection prevention and control.

This inspection took place on 27 October 2020 and was announced.

Updated 14 November 2020

We inspected Hillcrest Residential Home on 16 October 2018. The inspection was unannounced, which meant the staff and provider did not know we would be visiting. When we last inspected the service in February 2016 we found the provider was meeting the legal requirements in the areas that we looked at and rated the service as 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 on-going 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.

Hillcrest Residential Home is a ‘care home’. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or 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.

Hillcrest Residential Home is situated in the Armley suburb of Leeds. The service is a large detached property which has been adapted to accommodate 19 people, some of whom are living with a dementia. At the time of the inspection there were 13 people who used the service.

Staff understood the procedure they needed to follow if they suspected abuse might be taking place. Risks to people were identified and plans were put in place to help manage the risk and minimise them occurring. Medicines were managed safely with an effective system in place. Staff competencies around administering medicines were regularly checked.

Appropriate checks of the building and maintenance systems were undertaken to ensure health and safety was maintained. However, we did note that some windows that were not secured as safely as they should be. This was pointed out to the provider who took immediate action to address this.

People told us there were enough staff on duty to meet their needs. We found that safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

The home was clean and tidy. Communal areas were well maintained. Appropriate personal protective equipment and hand washing facilities were available. Staff had completed infection control training. However, we did note that pull cords from lights did not have a protective plastic covering so that they could be readily washed to prevent the spread of infection. The provider told us they would take immediate action to address this.

People were supported by a regular team of staff who were knowledgeable about people’s likes, dislikes and preferences. A training plan was in place. The registered manager told us some refresher training was a little overdue, however this training would be completed by the end of December 2018.

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. There were some mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions in the care records we looked at, however, these were not decision specific. We pointed this out the registered manager and provider who told us they would take immediate action to address this.

People had a choice of meals and staff supported people to maintain their health and attend routine health care appointments.

People who used the service told us that staff were kind and caring. Care plans detailed people’s needs and preferences. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they contained up to date information that was meeting people’s care needs. People had access to a range of activities. The provider had recruited a staff member with a background in dementia and with their input intended to improve on the activities available for those people living with a dementia. The service had a clear process for handling complaints.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service and felt supported by the registered manager. Quality assurance processes were in place and regularly carried out by the registered manager, senior staff and the provider, to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Feedback was sought from people who used the service through meetings and surveys. This information was analysed and action plans produced when needed.