CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Halland House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
What inspectors found, February 2021
Inspected but not rated; inspectors found good infection prevention and control practices during the Covid-19 outbreak.
This was an announced, targeted inspection on 26 January 2021. It looked at infection prevention and control because the home had experienced a coronavirus outbreak.
Inspectors found the home clean and tidy, with regular cleaning of high-touch areas. People and staff received regular testing. People who tested positive, were unwell or were self-isolating were cared for in their rooms where possible.
Staff had enough personal protective equipment and were seen using it correctly. The home used separate houses and activity groups to reduce mixing, and staff received specific Covid-19 training.
The service was inspected but not rated. This means the inspection did not give an overall quality rating or full ratings for all five areas of care.
Clean environment
The home was clean and tidy, with regular cleaning during the day, including high-touch areas.
“The home was clean and tidy. There was regular cleaning throughout the day, and this included high-touch areas.” from the report
Protective equipment
Staff had enough protective equipment and inspectors saw them using it appropriately.
“Staff were provided with adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and were seen to be wearing this appropriately.” from the report
Testing and training
People and staff received regular testing, and staff had specific Covid-19 training, including how to use protective equipment safely.
“Staff had received specific Covid-19 training, and this included guidance for staff about how to put on and take off PPE safely.” from the report
Reducing contact
The home used separate houses, activity groups and staff teams where possible to reduce mixing.
“The home was divided into three 'houses' and people spent time in their own house.” from the report
Inspectors raised no specific concerns in this report.
- 01How are infection prevention and control arrangements working now?
- 02How often are people and staff tested, and what happens after a positive result?
- 03How do you support people who find social distancing or staying in their room difficult?
- 04How do you make sure staff use protective equipment correctly on every shift?
- 05What are the home's current full ratings for care, staffing, activities and management, since this inspection was not rated?
This was a targeted inspection of infection prevention and control during a Covid-19 outbreak; it did not rate the other areas of care. This explanation was written from the published report of 10 February 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, July 2017
Rated Good overall, but inspectors found safety improvements were needed around hot water, windows and some decision records.
This was an unannounced inspection on 12 June 2017. Inspectors spoke with people living in the home, staff and managers. They observed care and reviewed care plans, medicines records, staff rotas, safety checks, complaints and other records.
The home was rated Good overall. Effective, caring, responsive and well-led were all rated Good. Safe was rated Requires Improvement because some window restrictors were unsafe and hot water had been above the recommended temperature for three months.
People generally received personalised care from kind and knowledgeable staff. Inspectors found good support with food, medicines, health care, activities, communication and family relationships. Some mental capacity records were improved during the inspection, but the inspectors recommended better management oversight.
Kind and respectful care
Staff built positive relationships and adapted how they communicated with each person. People's privacy, dignity and independence were supported.
“Throughout the inspection we observed staff interacting with people living at Halland House in a manner which was kind, compassionate and caring.” from the report
Personalised support
Care plans included people's histories, interests, communication needs and preferences. Staff used this information to provide individual support.
“The person-centred information that was available ensured the support planning process was comprehensive and effective.” from the report
Activities and community life
People had varied activities, including creative work, caring for animals, outings, performances and holidays. Activities were adapted to people's abilities.
“People remained supported to pursue social interests and activities that were important to them.” from the report
Trained and sufficient staff
Inspectors found enough staff to meet people's needs. Staff received training linked to the needs of the people they supported, including emergency epilepsy medicines.
“There remained sufficient staff to ensure that people were safe and cared for.” from the report
Hot water temperature
seriousHot water in communal bathrooms had been recorded above the recommended temperature for three months. This created a potential scalding risk, although no harm had occurred.
“Although the water temperature was running at one or two degrees above the recommendation temperature, there was a potential risk of scalding.” from the report
Window safety
seriousSome first-floor window restrictors exceeded the recommended limit, and two windows had no restrictor. Two skylights could also be opened with foreseeable force.
“These windows were on the first floor on the service which meant there was a potential risk of people being able to climb out of the windows.” from the report
Mental capacity oversight
needs fixingSome decision-specific mental capacity assessments were not initially in place when DoLS applications had been made. The records were corrected during the inspection, but inspectors recommended stronger oversight.
“However, we recommend the management team reviews their internal oversight of the MCA and how they monitor their compliance with legal requirements.” from the report
- 01Have all the new window restrictors been fitted, including measures for the two skylight windows?
- 02What is the current hot water temperature in communal bathrooms, and how is it checked and recorded?
- 03How are bathing and scalding risks assessed for each person, particularly where someone may not recognise or communicate that water is too hot?
- 04How are decision-specific mental capacity assessments completed and checked when a DoLS application is made?
- 05Have the planned audits against the fundamental standards been introduced, and what issues have they identified?
This inspection considered all five CQC questions and the overall quality of the home; the report says the next comprehensive inspection would check whether improvements had been made and sustained. This explanation was written from the published report of 27 July 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.
Every inspection of Halland House
2 rated inspections over 2 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- February 2021Inspected but not ratedcurrent ratingSafe: Inspected but not rated
- July 2017Goodstayed GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2015GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- October 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- September 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- December 2010
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 7 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.
Weigh the report against the rest
Fees, photos and reviews from families
How to read CQC ratings and reports
What to check when you visit
19 live-in carers within about an hour of East Sussex
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 £1,000 to £1,400 a week. 13 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“When he point blank refused to go into hospital for a life saving blood transfusion she talked him through the situation and agreed to go in the ambulance with him and stayed until he was settled.”
“Una felt safe, secure and loved in her time with Debbie which is a gift that I am eternally grateful for.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.