CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hale Place Farmhouse
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors were assured about infection prevention, testing, protective equipment, cleaning, isolation plans and safe visiting arrangements.
- Effective?
- Good
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
- Caring?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
- Responsive?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
- Well-led?
- Outstanding
- This question was not rated or assessed in the report.
What inspectors found, April 2021
Hale Place Farmhouse: targeted infection control inspection found good COVID-19 safety practices, but the service was not rated.
The inspection took place on 8 March 2021 and was announced. It was a targeted inspection during the coronavirus pandemic, focused on infection prevention and control.
Inspectors found good arrangements for visits, including outdoor visits and specially built visitor rooms. Visitors were screened, tested and asked to clean their hands. Staff and residents were regularly tested, and staff had training on pandemic safety.
The home had supplies of personal protective equipment, plans to isolate people with COVID-19, and clean, uncluttered premises. Staff also supported people's contact with family and friends and provided activities.
The home was marked "Inspected but not rated". This report does not give an overall quality rating or ratings for the other four questions.
Family contact
Staff helped residents stay in touch with family and friends by telephone, the internet and carefully arranged visits.
“People were well supported by staff to have telephone and internet contact with their family and friends.” from the report
Infection control
Inspectors found protective equipment readily available and plans to isolate people with COVID-19.
“The service had good supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) that were readily available at stations throughout the service.” from the report
Testing and visiting
Visitors were screened and tested, while staff and residents were regularly tested for COVID-19.
“Visitors were asked health screening questions regarding COVID-19, received lateral flow tests for COVID-19 and were expected to sanitise their hands when they arrived.” from the report
Clean environment
The building was clean and free from clutter, according to inspectors.
“The building was clean and free from clutter.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01What infection prevention and control arrangements are in place now, and how are they checked?
- 02How are visitors currently screened, tested and supported to visit safely?
- 03How would you isolate a resident if they developed COVID-19 or another infection?
- 04How often are residents and staff tested when there is a suspected infection or outbreak?
- 05What activities and ways of keeping in touch with family are available now?
This was an announced targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during the coronavirus pandemic; the home was inspected but not rated overall and the other four questions were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 14 April 2021 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, November 2017
Rated Outstanding; inspectors found exceptionally caring, personalised support, with Safe and Effective rated Good.
This was an unannounced inspection on 4 and 7 September 2017. One inspector observed care, spoke with people, relatives, staff and health professionals, and checked care plans, medicines records, risk assessments, staff files and quality checks.
The home provides accommodation and personal care for up to 13 older people with dementia. Inspectors found people were safe, had enough staff, received their medicines properly, and had suitable food, drink and healthcare.
Care was described as exceptionally kind and respectful. Staff knew people well, supported their independence and provided activities based on individual interests. Inspectors also found strong leadership, good family involvement and systems for improving the service.
The overall rating was Outstanding. Caring, Responsive and Well-led were rated Outstanding. Safe and Effective were rated Good. The inspection did not cover the separate domiciliary care agency or day service at the location.
Kind and respectful care
Inspectors saw staff listen carefully, comfort people and adapt their approach to each person's needs. People were treated as individuals and their dignity was protected.
“Staff were outstanding in using kindness and understanding to support people who were living with dementia and experiencing confusion.” from the report
Personal choice and independence
People were supported to make choices and take part in meaningful activities. Staff found practical ways to help people regain or keep independence.
“Staff were exceptional in enabling people to remain independent.” from the report
Personalised activities
Activities were based on people's past interests and wishes, from music and gardening to trips and contact with friends. Staff also adapted people's rooms to suit their needs.
“Staff went the extra mile in providing meaningful activities to meet individual interests.” from the report
Family involvement
Families could be involved in care planning and receive regular updates through an electronic gateway. Inspectors said this helped relatives stay connected and reassured.
“The gateway allowed people and their relatives to stay in touch and arrange social visits.” from the report
Strong leadership
There were several managers with different responsibilities, and the report says a manager was always available on site. Staff felt supported and managers promoted ongoing improvement.
“The service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering.” from the report
Capacity assessment paperwork
needs fixingOn the first inspection day, new mental capacity assessment forms were not specific to individual decisions, as required by the Mental Capacity Act guidance. The home recognised this and had rewritten all assessments by the end of the inspection process.
“However, these had not been made decision specific as per the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice.” from the report
- 01How are mental capacity assessments kept decision-specific now?
- 02How will you involve our family member and us in reviewing the care plan?
- 03How do you make sure activities continue to reflect each person's interests and changing wishes?
- 04How does the electronic gateway work, and how do you protect the privacy of information and photographs?
- 05How do you check that staffing levels remain sufficient when people's needs change?
This was an unannounced inspection of the care home and did not cover the separate domiciliary care agency or day service at the location. This explanation was written from the published report of 11 November 2017 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 report was longer than we could read in one go; the later sections may not be reflected.
Every inspection of Hale Place Farmhouse
2 rated inspections over 3 years: the service has held its Outstanding rating throughout.
- April 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2017Outstandingstayed OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: OutstandingResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- May 2015OutstandingSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: OutstandingWell-led: Outstanding
- February 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- October 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2011
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 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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39 live-in carers within about an hour of Kent
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 £980 to £1,260 a week. 33 can care for a couple. 12 years' experience on average.
“Always on time and with a lovely smile for my mum. Theresa is kind and sensitive to my mum's needs.”
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