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CQC report explained · a nursing home

What the CQC found at Honiton Manor Nursing Home

Goodpublished 2 November 2023, 2 years ago

Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.

The five questions inspectors ask
Safe?
Good
People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks, medicines, staffing, infection control and the environment were generally managed safely, although inspectors identified some fire safety improvements and one gap in staff understanding of a person's positioning needs.
Effective?
Good
This key question was not rated in this report. The report says people were supported to have maximum choice and control, and staff worked within the Mental Capacity Act principles.
Caring?
Good
This key question was not rated in this report. Inspectors observed positive relationships and said people described staff as friendly, kind and knowledgeable.
Responsive?
Good
This key question was not rated in this report. Inspectors found the service was person-centred and people were involved in discussions about changes at the home.
Well-led?
Good
The registered manager and senior team were described as open, supportive and focused on improving quality. Audits, an improvement plan, meetings and feedback systems were in place.
The latest report, explained

What inspectors found, November 2023

Honiton Manor Nursing Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind care and effective management, with a few fire safety and risk-awareness improvements made during the inspection.

The inspection took place on 12 and 16 October 2023 and was announced. Two inspectors spoke with people, staff, a relative and a GP. They observed care and checked care records, medicines records, recruitment files, audits, incidents and maintenance records.

The home was rated Good overall. Safe was rated Good and well-led was rated Good. Inspectors found enough trained staff, safe medicines systems, suitable infection control and good safeguarding arrangements. People described staff as friendly, kind and knowledgeable.

Inspectors found a few fire safety improvements and one issue about staff recognising the safest position for a person eating in bed. The registered manager acted promptly on these points. The home had also improved access to a safe outside area.

The previous rating was Good, published in May 2018. This inspection looked at Safe and well-led only, so the other ratings were not reassessed in this report.

What inspectors praised
  • Kind and knowledgeable staff

    People were positive about the care they received and inspectors saw positive relationships between people and staff.

    “People were positive about the care and support they received and told us staff were friendly, kind and knowledgeable about them and their support needs.” from the report
  • Safe medicines practice

    Medicines were stored, ordered and disposed of safely. Nurses received training and regular checks of their medicines competence.

    “Nurses were responsible for administering medicines and had received training and an annual competency check to ensure safe practice.” from the report
  • Responsive management

    The management team used audits, an improvement plan and incident reviews to monitor and improve the service.

    “The provider had effective systems and processes in place to continually improve and develop the quality of care provided.” from the report
  • Good involvement and partnership working

    People could give feedback through meetings and newsletters. The home worked with the GP and other health and social care professionals.

    “The registered manager and senior team worked well with health and social care partners to improve the care provided.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
  • Fire safety actions were needed

    needs fixing

    Inspectors identified a few areas for improvement in fire safety. The manager acted promptly, including putting emergency evacuation plans and improved fire risk assessments in place.

    “A few areas for improvements were identified regarding fire safety at the home.” from the report
  • One person's positioning risk

    serious

    Inspectors were not assured that all staff recognised the risk linked to how one person needed to be positioned while eating in bed. The manager took steps to update staff.

    “However, we were not assured all staff recognised the risk associated with the required positioning of one person having their meals in bed.” from the report
  • No registered nurse on one night each week

    needs fixing

    The report says there was not always a registered nurse on duty. On one night each week, an experienced staff member with a nursing qualification from another country was in charge, with senior help available if needed.

    “It was raised with us that there was not always a registered nurse on duty.” from the report
  • Survey results were not shared

    minor

    The home's 2023 satisfaction survey responses were positive, but inspectors discussed sharing the findings and any resulting actions with people.

    “We discussed with the registered manager sharing the findings from the surveys with people, and any actions taken in response.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01How do you check that every member of staff understands each person's risks, including safe positioning when eating in bed?
  2. 02What are the arrangements for the night each week when there is not always a registered nurse on duty?
  3. 03Have all the fire safety actions identified during the inspection been completed and kept under review?
  4. 04How will you share the 2023 satisfaction survey findings and any actions taken with residents and relatives?
  5. 05How often are staffing levels reviewed when people's needs change?

This was a focused inspection of Safe and well-led only; the other key question ratings were not given in this report. This explanation was written from the published report of 2 November 2023 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.

An earlier report, explained

What inspectors found, May 2018

Rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some areas still being improved.

This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 3 April 2018. Inspectors spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals. They observed care and checked care records, staff files and quality checks.

The home was rated Good overall and Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. People told inspectors they felt safe and cared for. Staff were described as kind, respectful and supportive.

The inspection found improvements since February 2017, when the home was rated Requires Improvement overall. Staff supervision and training, medicines checks, hot water safety and care records had improved, and the requirements from the earlier inspection had been completed.

Inspectors noted that the outside area was not enclosed and needed supervision. They also found that some health referrals had not always been made promptly and that care plans could include more detail about social needs and life history.

What inspectors praised
  • Kind and respectful care

    People were treated with dignity and staff supported their choices, privacy and independence. Inspectors saw warm and relaxed interactions.

    “Staff were kind, friendly and caring towards people.” from the report
  • Safer medicines

    Registered nurses had medicines training and competency checks. Medicines were given safely and records were complete.

    “People received their medicines safely and on time.” from the report
  • Well-trained staff

    Staff received induction, training, regular supervision and appraisals. Nurses' professional registration was checked.

    “All staff received regular training, supervision and appraisals.” from the report
  • Personalised support

    Care plans described people's health needs, preferences and communication methods. People were offered choices about daily life and activities.

    “Care plans were personalised and reflected people's needs.” from the report
  • Improved leadership

    The home had strengthened its monitoring systems and created a more open culture. Staff said they felt supported by the management team.

    “The registered manager and deputy manager had worked to develop a positive and open culture.” from the report
What inspectors were concerned about
  • Unenclosed outside area

    needs fixing

    The outside area led to the main car park and was not enclosed. People needed supervision there, although the manager was discussing possible measures with the provider.

    “The area outside the home was not secure as it led into the main car park.” from the report
  • More detail in care plans

    minor

    The manager recognised that care plans needed to be more person-centred about people's social needs and life history.

    “The registered manager was aware these needed to be more person centred in relation to people's social needs and life history.” from the report
Questions to ask them, based on this report
  1. 01What measures are now in place to keep people safe when they use the outside area near the car park?
  2. 02How do you make sure changes in a person's health are referred to the right professional without delay?
  3. 03How are each person's social needs, interests and life history recorded in their care plan?
  4. 04How often are nurses' medicines competence and professional registration checked?
  5. 05How will you use feedback from residents, relatives and staff to improve the service?

This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering the home, the care provided and all five CQC questions. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 May 2018 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.

The story over the years

Every inspection of Honiton Manor Nursing Home

4 rated inspections over 7 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.

  1. November 2023Goodcurrent ratingstayed Good
    Safe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Honiton Manor Nursing Home →

  2. May 2018Goodup from Requires improvement
    Safe: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read what inspectors found at Honiton Manor Nursing Home →

  3. April 2017Requires improvementdown from Good
    Safe: Requires improvementEffective: Requires improvementCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  4. October 2016Good
    Safe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  5. November 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  6. April 2013

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  7. August 2011

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  8. March 2011

    Report published without a new overall rating.

    Read this report on cqc.org.uk

  9. January 2011

    Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 17 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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