Hartfield House Rest Home

Hartfield House is a care home. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.

Hartfield House provides accommodation and personal care for up to 20 people in one adapted building. At the time of the inspection 19 people were living at the home. People living at the home were older people who had a range of needs associated with old age and their health. Some people were living with the early stages of dementia.

People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. They knew people well and had a good understanding of their health and care needs, choices and interests. Staff worked hard to ensure people received good quality care that was person-centred. There were a range of activities taking place and people were supported to keep busy and engaged throughout the day. They were able to continue their own interests and hobbies. People were relaxed and comfortable in the company of staff. People's dignity and privacy was respected. The company statement, "Care like family" was evident throughout the inspection.

Before people moved into the home assessments were completed. This helped ensure their needs and choices could be met. Information from these assessments were then used to develop care plans and risk assessments. These were regularly reviewed. Staff had a good understanding of people's needs and the risks associated with supporting people and these were well managed.

There were enough staff working each day to meet people's needs. Safe recruitment practices were followed to ensure staff were appropriate to work at the home. Staff had received training they needed and there were opportunities for additional training specific to the needs of the service. This included the care of people with specific health problems such as diabetes. Training was regularly updated.

People were supported to eat and drink a variety of freshly cooked meals and drinks each day. Their health was monitored and staff responded when health needs changed by contacting appropriate healthcare professionals.

Systems were in place to ensure accidents and incidents were well managed and actions taken to prevent reoccurrence. Staff understood how to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and discrimination. Systems were in place to ensure medicines were ordered, stored, given and disposed of safely.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Staff had received training on the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and demonstrated an understanding of the legal requirements.

People and staff were asked for their opinions on the service and whether they were happy at the home. Staff felt supported within their roles and told us the registered manager had an 'open door' policy and they could discuss any concerns or problems with them.

There were a range of audits and checks in place. These were used to identify where improvements were needed across the service. There was a complaints policy in place and people and visitors told us they would raise any concerns with staff.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found