Hart Care Residential Home

Improvements had been made in how the service managed people's medicines. People's medicines were now administered safely and as prescribed for them. Staff received medicines training and had their competencies checked to ensure safe practice. Medicine audits and checks were in place to identify and issues or concerns. However, we made a recommendation in relation to ensuring best practice is followed in relation to medicines given through a patch on people's skin.

People were supported to have maximum 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. However, we made a recommendation with regards to records relating to mental capacity assessments and best interests' decisions.

Risks to people were regularly assessed with measures in place to mitigate them. However, we made a recommendation about updating care plans and risk assessments to ensure they reflect actions taken to manage risk.

People told us they were happy living at the service, they felt safe, and staff treated them with respect and kindness. Staff understood the importance of safeguarding people wherever possible from poor care and harm. When staff had any concerns about people, they knew where to escalate and report these concerns.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people's needs and staff were recruited safely.

Staff were being supported to complete a new mandatory training programme and refresher courses, to ensure they had the skills required to complete their roles. The induction training was also being improved and aligned to the Care Certificate.

The provider had infection control procedures in place to protect people and prevent the spread of infection. Staff accessed personal protective equipment (PPE) and acted in accordance with government guidance.

Staff told us they felt supported by the managers and provider and morale within the staff team had improved.