CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Highbury New Park
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that the home was preventing and managing infection safely. They also signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, September 2020
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection control arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspectors visited the home on 20 August 2020. This was an announced, targeted inspection focused on infection prevention and control in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
They found measures for visitors, social distancing, admissions, personal protective equipment, cleaning and outbreak management. They were assured that the home was following safe infection prevention and control procedures.
The home had individual risk assessments for people and staff, including specific risks for people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Staff had infection control training and guidance, and cleaning schedules were in place.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give an overall quality rating, and it does not assess the other four questions about care.
Visitor safety
Visitors were given clear safety instructions and were asked to use safer visiting areas where possible. Personal protective equipment was provided for visits in bedrooms.
“There were very clear guidelines displayed in the reception area of the home for people about what is expected of them when visiting to promote everyone's safety.” from the report
Individual risk assessments
People and staff had individual assessments covering infection risks, personal protective equipment and steps to keep them safe.
“Each person using the service and staff supporting them had an individualised risk assessment, including specific risks for people of Black and Minority Ethnic heritage.” from the report
PPE training and guidance
Staff had training and clear instructions about using personal protective equipment for different personal care tasks.
“Staff had been trained and were provided with clear guidance about the use of PPE depending on the nature of a personal care task they were undertaking at any given time.” from the report
Cleaning arrangements
The home had regular cleaning schedules, with domestic staff allocated to complete hourly, daily and weekly tasks.
“Domestic staff were deployed to ensure hourly, daily and weekly cleaning schedules were completed.” from the report
Further development identified
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its infection prevention and control approach. The report does not explain what specific improvements were needed.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What infection prevention and control resources were you signposted to, and what changes have you made as a result?
- 02How often are people's individual infection risk assessments reviewed and updated?
- 03How are visitors currently managed, including visits in bedrooms when someone cannot come to a ground-floor room or the garden?
- 04How do you check that hourly, daily and weekly cleaning schedules are completed?
- 05How is staff training and guidance on personal protective equipment kept up to date?
This was an announced, targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the Covid-19 pandemic; the other four quality questions and the overall service rating were not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 September 2020 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Highbury New Park is rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with one minor concern about food sometimes arriving cold.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 24 and 28 October 2019. Inspectors spoke with people living there, relatives, staff and managers. They reviewed care records, medicines records, recruitment files, training and records about how the home was managed.
The home provided residential and nursing care for 53 people. Almost everyone was living with dementia. Inspectors found that people were safe, their risks were assessed, medicines were administered safely and staffing levels were suitable.
People were treated with kindness, dignity and respect. Care plans were detailed and personalised, people had choices about their care and activities, and staff worked with health professionals to meet people's needs.
All five areas were rated Good. This was the same as the previous inspection, published on 9 May 2017. The report says the home was consistently managed and provided good, person-centred care.
Keeping people safe
Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse or harm. Risks were assessed when people arrived and reviewed regularly.
“People were kept safe from harm and if any concerns about people's wellbeing arose the service took the necessary steps to respond.” from the report
Personalised choices
Care plans included people's preferences, routines and wishes. People were supported to make day-to-day choices and to receive care in the least restrictive way.
“People were supported to have 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.” from the report
Kind and respectful care
People and relatives described staff as caring. Inspectors observed staff being courteous, respectful and attentive to people's choices.
“People were acknowledged as individuals and were treated with dignity and respect by staff working at the home.” from the report
Activities and relationships
The home supported people to keep relationships, join activities and take part in individual or group sessions. Relatives could also join activities and events.
“People were supported to maintain and develop friendships and relationships with people who mattered to them.” from the report
Management oversight
The home used audits and meetings to review care, incidents, medicines, complaints and risks. Staff said managers were approachable and listened to them.
“There was a culture of good communication and continuous improvement and learning within the service.” from the report
Food temperature
minorOne person thought food was sometimes cold when it arrived. Other people did not raise this concern, and inspectors found that food choices and drinks were generally good.
“One person thought the food was sometimes cold when it arrived but no-one else thought so.” from the report
- 01How will you support my relative's specific dementia, residential or nursing care needs?
- 02How do you check that meals arrive at a suitable temperature, especially if someone has difficulty eating?
- 03How will you involve my relative and our family in updating the care plan and making best-interest decisions?
- 04Which activities and outings would be suitable for my relative, and how would you support them to take part?
- 05How are medicines checked and how is staff competency reviewed after training?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, as well as the premises and care provided. This explanation was written from the published report of 28 December 2019 by an AI system and checked against the report text: every quoted line appears in the report. It is a guide to the report, not a substitute for it. Read the full report on cqc.org.uk.
Every inspection of Highbury New Park
4 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- September 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 11 January 2011.
Ratings and report dates from the Care Quality Commission, Open Government Licence v3.0. A home can also be visited without a new rating being published, so the timeline shows published inspections.
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