CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hall Park Care Home
Rated Outstanding: inspectors found the home performing exceptionally well.
What inspectors found, April 2022
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection-control arrangements but concerns about PPE storage, visitors' vaccination requests and staff nails.
This was an unannounced, targeted inspection on 11 January 2022. Inspectors looked at infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and whether staffing pressures were affecting the home.
The home had plenty of PPE, regular COVID-19 testing, cleaning schedules and infection-control training. Staff entrances, zoning and isolation arrangements were used to help prevent infection from spreading.
Inspectors were not fully assured that PPE was being stored safely. They also found that visitors were being asked to be vaccinated, which was against government guidance and the home's own policy. The service was inspected but not rated, so this report does not give an overall quality rating.
PPE and testing
The home had PPE stations, regular COVID-19 testing and supplies of masks, gloves, aprons and hand sanitiser.
“A regular programme of testing for COVID-19 was in place for staff and people who lived in the service.” from the report
Cleaning and outbreak control
Cleaning took place throughout the day, with schedules and audits. The home used isolation, cohorting and zoning during infection risks.
“We saw cleaning schedules and audits were carried out and cleaning took place throughout the day.” from the report
Staff infection-control training
Staff had training on infection control and the correct use of PPE.
“All staff had completed training in relation to infection control and had received training about the correct use of PPE including donning and doffing.” from the report
Visitor infection checks
The home checked professional visitors' vaccination status and lateral flow tests, and asked visitors to take lateral flow tests.
“Visitors to people living at the service were also requested to carry out lateral flow tests to reduce the risk of people contracting the virus.” from the report
PPE stored in a dirty area
seriousPPE was stored in a sluice room, which inspectors said created a risk of cross-contamination. The home said it would move the PPE and install shelving in a clean area.
“We were not assured that the provider was using PPE effectively and safely.” from the report
Incorrect vaccination request for visitors
needs fixingVisitors were being asked to be vaccinated. Inspectors said this was against government guidance and the home's own policy.
“However, the service was requesting that visitors should be vaccinated and this was against government guidance and their own policy.” from the report
Staff nails
needs fixingInspectors found that staff nails were not always short and free of varnish. They said this presented an infection-prevention risk.
“We also discussed staff nails should be short and free of varnish as per government guidance.” from the report
- 01Has PPE been moved out of the sluice room, and where is it stored now?
- 02What checks are made to ensure staff nails are short and free of varnish?
- 03What are the home's current visiting rules, and are visitors still being asked about vaccination?
- 04How often are staff and residents tested for COVID-19?
- 05How does the home respond if there is an infection outbreak or staffing pressure?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control, visiting arrangements and staffing pressures; the service was inspected but not rated and the other areas were not assessed. This explanation was written from the published report of 12 April 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, September 2021
Hall Park Care Home was rated Requires Improvement; inspectors found unsafe staffing and weak management, although medicines were managed well.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 3 August 2021. Inspectors reviewed Safe and Well-led because of concerns about falls management. They spoke with people, relatives and staff, and reviewed care, medicines, staffing and management records.
Inspectors found there were not enough suitably trained staff to support people safely. Risks were not always managed because staffing levels were too low. Some areas were not clean and personal protective equipment was not always available where staff needed it.
Management had changed frequently and there was no registered manager. Staff felt unsupported, and relatives said communication was poor. Medicines records were clear and complete. The overall rating changed from Good at the previous inspection to Requires Improvement.
Medicines management
Medicines were managed safely. Records were complete and were checked through an internal audit system.
“Medicines administration records had been fully completed. They gave details of the medicines people had taken and this was regularly monitored by an internal audit system.” from the report
Recruitment checks
The home carried out pre-employment checks to help ensure staff were suitable to care for people.
“The provider ensured staff were of good character and were fit to carry out their work.” from the report
Safeguarding awareness
Staff understood how to recognise and report abuse, and had received safeguarding training.
“Staff received training in safeguarding and felt confident to raise concerns.” from the report
Care referrals
People were receiving visits from health professionals when required, and care records showed referrals when health needs changed.
“We could see in care planning where people had been referred to professionals when healthcare needs had changed.” from the report
Too few trained staff
seriousThere were not enough staff to support people safely or respond to their needs. Inspectors saw people needing help with eating while staff were too busy serving.
“Staffing levels were not adequate to effectively support people.” from the report
Infection control problems
seriousSome areas were not clean, kitchen clothing was soiled and PPE was not available in all areas where staff needed to change.
“The lack of cleanliness and readily available PPE for staff to access was a breach of Regulation 12 (Safe Care and Treatment) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014” from the report
Weak management oversight
seriousThere was no registered manager and frequent management changes. Important staffing and safety problems had not been identified or addressed.
“The lack of effective leadership and management is a Breach of Regulation 17 (Good Governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014” from the report
Poor communication and engagement
needs fixingRelatives said they were not consistently consulted and did not always feel management was open or honest. Inspectors also saw little meaningful engagement and no activities during the visit.
“One relative told us "Communication with relatives is poor.'' They told us that they felt that management were not open or honest with them.” from the report
Incidents not always followed up
needs fixingThe provider had not always investigated incidents or acted openly afterwards. CQC recommended investigating incidents, accidents and complaints and providing an outcome and apology where appropriate.
“We have recommended that the manager look into this and carry out an investigation on all incidents, accidents and complaints and provide an outcome and an apology where appropriate.” from the report
- 01How many staff are planned for each shift now, and how do you make sure there are enough trained staff to help with moving, hoisting, meals and people who wander?
- 02What changes have been made to risk assessments and falls monitoring since the inspection?
- 03Is there now a registered manager, and how are management changes being kept from affecting care?
- 04How do you check that all areas are clean and that clean PPE is available wherever staff need it?
- 05How are relatives now involved in care decisions, complaints and updates after incidents?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only, with infection prevention and control also checked under Safe; the other key questions were not reviewed in this inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 21 September 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.
Every inspection of Hall Park Care Home
3 rated inspections over 5 years: the service has slipped, from Good to Requires improvement.
- April 2022Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- September 2021Requires improvementSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Requires improvement
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- November 2020Inspected but not ratedSafe: Inspected but not rated
- February 2019Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- April 2016GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- January 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- April 2011
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 3 December 2010.
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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