CQC report explained · a nursing home
What the CQC found at The Hawthorns Care Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about the home's infection prevention and control arrangements, including PPE, testing, admissions, visitors and outbreak management.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This question was not rated in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, December 2020
The Hawthornes Care Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors were assured about infection control and found good support for contact and activities.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 03 December 2020. It was part of CQC's response to coronavirus outbreaks in care homes and looked at infection prevention and control.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing visitors, shielding, social distancing, admissions, protective equipment, testing and outbreaks safely. The home had also put zoning and grouping arrangements in place.
People were supported to keep in regular contact with friends and family. Staff also helped people stay involved in activities and interests while isolating.
The home was inspected but not rated. This means the report does not give a rated judgement for the service from this inspection.
Family contact
People were supported to keep regular contact with friends and family.
“People who used the service were supported to maintain regular contact with friends and family.” from the report
Support during isolation
Staff considered the effect of isolation and helped people continue with activities and interests.
“Staff were mindful of the impact that isolating in their rooms might have on people.” from the report
Outbreak arrangements
The home had put zoning and grouping arrangements in place to help manage the coronavirus outbreak.
“Principles of zoning and grouping had been put into practice to help manage the outbreak.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors were assured about the home's arrangements for preventing and controlling infection, including PPE, testing and outbreak management.
“We were assured that the provider was making sure infection outbreaks can be effectively prevented or managed.” from the report
Further development needed
minorInspectors signposted the provider to resources to develop its approach. The report does not explain what specific changes were needed.
“We have also signposted the provider to resources to develop their approach.” from the report
- 01What changes did you make after inspectors signposted you to resources to develop your infection prevention and control approach?
- 02How do you currently support residents to keep regular contact with their friends and family?
- 03How do you support residents with activities and interests if they need to isolate in their rooms?
- 04How are zoning and grouping arrangements used if there is an infection outbreak?
- 05How do you currently manage PPE, testing and safe admissions?
This was an unannounced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a coronavirus outbreak response; the service was inspected but not rated. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 December 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, March 2019
Rated Good in all five areas; inspectors found kind, personalised care, with some medicine-recording and environmental issues being addressed.
This was an unannounced, scheduled inspection on 5 March 2019. Inspectors spoke with six people, eight relatives or friends and several staff. They observed care and checked care records, medicine records, staff files and the home's quality checks.
The overall rating was Good. All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors found enough suitably trained staff, a clean and comfortable environment, detailed care planning, kind staff and a wide range of activities.
There were some shortfalls. A few hot pipes and items of furniture were unsafe, but the manager put measures in place within 24 hours. Some cream storage units were unlocked and there were gaps in recording cream and ointment applications. The provider had already identified the recording issue and was working to improve it.
The home was also rated Good in all five areas at the previous inspection, published in September 2016. The report says the home would continue to be monitored and inspected according to the usual schedule for services rated Good.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors observed staff taking time to reassure people, protect their dignity and have meaningful conversations. Feedback from people and relatives was consistently positive.
“People were supported and treated with dignity and respect; and involved as partners in their care.” from the report
Activities and community links
People had access to group and one-to-one activities, trips and events. The home also worked with a local school to support social contact and shared learning.
“There was an extensive activity programme in place, providing group and one to one sessions on site and in the community.” from the report
Personalised care
Care records included people's preferences, life histories, interests and communication needs. Staff supported people to make choices and remain as independent as possible.
“Care records were written in a person-centred way, detailing people's preferences, likes and dislikes.” from the report
End of life support
The home had completed an end of life care accreditation. Staff had specialist training and worked closely with healthcare professionals to support comfort and people's wishes.
“The service held an end of life care accreditation.” from the report
Staffing and leadership
Inspectors found enough staff during the visit, with training, supervision and competency checks in place. Staff spoke positively about the support from managers.
“There were sufficient staff on shift to meet people's needs during the inspection.” from the report
Medicine cream records
needs fixingInspectors found gaps in recording when creams and ointments had been applied. The provider's audit had already identified this and work was under way to improve it.
“We identified some gaps in the recording of cream and ointment applications.” from the report
Some environmental risks
needs fixingSome hot pipes were exposed and some furniture was not fixed securely. The manager put measures in place within 24 hours to reduce these risks.
“We identified some exposed hot pipes and unfixed items of furniture during the inspection.” from the report
Unlocked cream storage
minorSome bedroom storage units for creams were unlocked. The manager said this would be addressed immediately with staff.
“We did identify some units were unlocked.” from the report
- 01How do you now check that creams and ointments are recorded every time they are applied?
- 02Are all bedroom cream storage units locked, and how is this checked?
- 03What staffing levels and nursing cover are in place for my relative's specific needs?
- 04How would you involve my relative and our family in activities, care planning and end of life decisions?
- 05What changes have been made since the issues with exposed hot pipes and unfixed furniture were found?
This was an unannounced scheduled comprehensive inspection covering all five key questions; the previous inspection had also rated all five areas Good. This explanation was written from the published report of 29 March 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 The Hawthorns Care Home
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2020Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- March 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- June 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- August 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 14 October 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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13 live-in carers within about an hour of Norfolk
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 £990 to £1,120 a week. 9 can care for a couple. 14 years' experience on average.
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.