CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at College Hill Residential Home
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured that infection risks were being managed, including visiting, testing, PPE, hygiene and outbreak arrangements. The provider also told inspectors it had measures to manage COVID-19-related staffing pressures.
- Effective?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Caring?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
- Well-led?
- Good
- This was not assessed in this targeted inspection.
What inspectors found, March 2022
College Hill Residential Home was inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection control and visiting arrangements.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 11 February 2022. Inspectors looked mainly at infection prevention, visiting arrangements and the effect of COVID-19 staffing pressures.
The home had arrangements to reduce infection risks. These included testing visitors, using personal protective equipment, regular testing, vaccination, staff training and updated infection control procedures.
Inspectors were assured that the home was managing infection risks in the areas they checked. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not provide an overall quality rating.
Safe visiting
Visitors had to test negative, use PPE and wash their hands. There was a separate, ventilated room for visitors who tested on arrival.
“There were safe visiting arrangements in place.” from the report
Staff infection control training
Staff were trained in COVID-19, hand washing and using PPE. The home checked staff practice and provided more training when needed.
“All staff had received training about COVID-19, hand washing and in the proper use and on donning and doffing of PPE.” from the report
Infection control systems
The home had an up-to-date infection control policy, regular testing and enough PPE. Inspectors were assured that infection outbreaks could be prevented or managed.
“We were assured that the provider's infection prevention and control policy was up to date.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are visitors currently tested and what PPE or hand-washing arrangements are still required?
- 02How do you monitor staff infection prevention and control practice, and when was the most recent follow-up training?
- 03How much PPE is currently available and how do you make sure supplies remain reliable?
- 04What arrangements are in place now if staff are absent because of infection or other COVID-19-related pressures?
- 05How do you identify and manage any infection outbreak among residents, staff or visitors?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and COVID-19-related staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 March 2022 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, January 2019
College Hill Residential Home was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with some improvements needed for dementia-friendly surroundings and independent eating.
The inspection was unannounced and took place on 16 October 2018. Inspectors spoke with six people and five staff, looked around the home, and checked care records, medicines, recruitment, training, complaints, accidents, maintenance and quality checks. A dental inspector also reviewed oral health support.
The home supported 11 older people, some of whom had dementia. Inspectors found people were protected from abuse, medicines were handled safely, staffing levels were suitable and recruitment checks were completed. People received nutritious food, health support, respectful care, activities and care plans based on their preferences.
The home remained Good in all five areas: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. Inspectors recommended improvements to make the environment more supportive for people with dementia and to help people eat independently where appropriate.
People felt safe
People told inspectors they felt safe and secure. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and how to report concerns.
“People were protected from the risk of abuse because staff had a clear understanding of the safeguarding process.” from the report
Personalised care
Care plans included people's likes, dislikes, beliefs, culture and communication needs. Staff supported people to maintain their independence and take part in activities.
“People received care that reflected their likes, dislikes and preferences.” from the report
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw staff treating people respectfully and protecting their privacy and dignity. People described staff as kind and caring.
“People told us that all the staff were kind and caring.” from the report
Good oversight
The home used audits, staff meetings, surveys and action plans to check the quality of care and address issues.
“There were structures, processes and systems to support good governance.” from the report
Dementia-friendly environment
needs fixingThe home had made some changes, but inspectors said more could be done to make the environment supportive and enabling for people with dementia.
“we recommend that it seeks advice and guidance from a reputable source regarding creating dementia friendly environments.” from the report
Support with eating
needs fixingInspectors saw one person wearing a bib for several hours and being fed with a teaspoon. They recommended considering serviettes or adapted crockery and cutlery to support independence.
“We recommend that the service seek advice and guidance from a reputable source regarding use serviettes, or adapted crockery and cutlery to enable people to feed independently where appropriate.” from the report
Information policy
minorThere was no Accessible Information Standard policy in place during the inspection, although the manager later said one had been introduced.
“Although there was no Accessible Information Standard (AIS) policy in place, the service had taken steps to ensure people who used the service understood the information they were given.” from the report
- 01What changes have you made to create a more dementia-friendly environment since the inspection?
- 02How do you support people to eat independently, including the use of serviettes or adapted crockery and cutlery?
- 03How do you make sure people are not left wearing a bib longer than needed?
- 04What Accessible Information Standard policy is now in place, and how is it used for people with communication needs?
- 05How are care plans and risk assessments reviewed when a person's health or abilities change?
This was an unannounced inspection covering all five quality areas, including a detailed review of oral health support; the home was also checked against relevant legal requirements. This explanation was written from the published report of 22 January 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 College Hill Residential Home
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- March 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
Read what inspectors found at College Hill Residential Home →
- January 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
Read what inspectors found at College Hill Residential Home →
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- July 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- May 2013
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 May 2013.
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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