CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at Highcliffe Nursing Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were managed through testing, PPE, cleaning, social distancing, safe admissions and arrangements to prevent or manage outbreaks.
- Effective?
- Good
- Does the care work? Training, consent, food and drink, working with GPs and nurses.
- Caring?
- Good
- Are people treated with kindness and dignity?
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- Is care built around the person? Care plans, activities, complaints.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Is the home run well? The manager, the culture, how problems get found and fixed.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found strong infection-control arrangements and support for residents to keep in touch with family.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 5 February 2021. It checked the home’s infection prevention and control arrangements during the coronavirus pandemic.
Inspectors found good practice. They were assured that infection risks were being managed, including admissions, visiting, testing, social distancing, cleaning, PPE and outbreak planning.
The home was inspected but not rated. This report does not give a new overall rating or a separate rating for the other four questions.
Infection prevention
Policies and staff practices reflected best-practice guidance. Inspectors found that people, staff and visitors were protected from infection risks.
“People, staff and visitors to Highcliffe Nursing Home were protected from risks of infection as policies and staff practices reflected best practice guidance.” from the report
Controlled visiting
Visits were by appointment and overseen by trained staff. There were additional risk assessments and arrangements for people receiving end-of-life care.
“Arrangements for visiting were by appointment only and overseen by trained staff.” from the report
PPE and cleaning
The premises appeared clean, suitable cleaning products were used, and PPE was available and used correctly.
“PPE was used correctly, in good supply and available throughout the home.” from the report
Keeping in touch
Staff helped people use technology to maintain contact with family and friends. Activities were held every day in communal areas and people's rooms.
“People's wellbeing needs were understood, and staff assisted people to use technology to help keep in touch with family and friends.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How have your infection-control arrangements changed since the inspection on 5 February 2021?
- 02How are visits currently arranged, and what checks or protective equipment are required?
- 03How do you support residents who are receiving end-of-life care to see visitors safely?
- 04How often are residents and staff tested, and how are consent and vaccination concerns handled?
- 05What daily activities and technology support are currently available for residents to contact family and friends?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; it did not provide new ratings for the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 17 February 2021 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
Highcliffe Nursing Home was rated Good overall, with Outstanding responsiveness and highly personalised care, including at the end of life.
This was an unannounced, planned inspection on 29 October 2019. Two inspectors spoke with people, relatives and staff. They observed care and reviewed records, notifications and information from local commissioners.
The home was caring, safe, effective and well-led. Inspectors found that staff understood people's risks, medicines were handled safely, training was provided, and people were treated with dignity and respect.
Responsive care was rated Outstanding. Inspectors highlighted personalised activities, strong support for families, excellent end of life care and creative ways to respect people's wishes. The overall rating stayed Good, while Responsive improved from Good at the previous inspection.
Personalised care
Staff used people's histories, interests and preferences to shape everyday care and activities. Inspectors found creative ways to help people continue important relationships and interests.
“People received person centred care that reflected their personal histories, likes, dislikes and lifestyle choices that were important to them.” from the report
End of life support
Inspectors found outstanding end of life care. Families were involved, personal wishes were respected, and staff worked with health professionals to keep people comfortable and free from pain.
“Staff provided outstanding person-centred end of life care to people and fully involved family in decisions to ensure a person's last wishes were reflective of their preferences, culture and religion.” from the report
Safe care
Risks were regularly assessed and reviewed. Inspectors found safe medicines practice, suitable staffing and learning from accidents and incidents.
“People had their risks assessed, monitored and reviewed.” from the report
Supportive leadership
People, families and staff spoke positively about the management. The home used feedback, audits and team discussions to improve care.
“Quality assurance processes effectively captured service delivery identified areas requiring improvement and provided opportunities for learning.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are each person's interests, history and wishes recorded and updated in their care plan?
- 02How do you check that staffing levels and the staff skill mix continue to meet people's needs?
- 03How would you support my relative's end of life wishes, including their culture, religion and family preferences?
- 04What activities and communication support would be available for someone living with dementia or sensory impairment?
- 05How are concerns and complaints recorded, investigated and used to improve care?
This was an unannounced, planned inspection that looked at the care home, its premises and all five CQC questions; the previous overall rating was Good, published on 24 May 2017. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 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 Highcliffe Nursing Home
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has improved, from Inadequate to Good.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- December 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Good
- May 2017Goodup from Requires improvementSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016Requires improvementup from InadequateSafe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Requires improvement
- August 2015InadequateSafe: InadequateEffective: InadequateCaring: InadequateResponsive: Requires improvementWell-led: Inadequate
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- March 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 24 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
37 live-in carers within about an hour of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,000 to £1,340 a week. 26 can care for a couple. 11 years' experience on average.
“We could not have managed without her calm, reassuring presence and practical knowledge and skill in caring and supporting both my husband and the family and I.”
“I cannot recommend Prisca highly enough, she is one in a million.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.