CQC report explained · a residential care home
What the CQC found at Hamilton House
Rated Good: inspectors found the home performing well and meeting their expectations.
- Safe?
- Good
- Inspectors found that risks were assessed, staff understood how to manage them, medicines were handled safely and enough staff were on duty during the visit.
- Effective?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Caring?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Responsive?
- Good
- This area was not inspected during this focused visit. The previous rating was used in calculating the overall rating.
- Well-led?
- Good
- Inspectors found effective audits and risk management, good teamwork and a management approach that involved people, families and staff.
What inspectors found, December 2019
Hamilton House was rated Good overall; inspectors found safe, personalised care and effective management, but there was no registered manager at the visit.
This was an unannounced focused inspection on 19 November 2019. One inspector observed care, spoke with staff and relatives, and checked care records, medicines records and management audits.
The home was rated Good for Safe and Well-led. Inspectors found that people were protected from harm, risks were assessed, medicines were handled safely and enough staff were on duty during the visit.
Care was personalised and people were supported to make choices and build independence. The home did not have a registered manager at the time, but the new manager had applied to register and the management systems were working well.
The other three areas were not inspected during this visit. Their previous ratings were carried forward, so the overall rating remained Good.
Personalised care
Care plans included people's individual goals and guidance for staff. People were supported to make choices and increase their independence.
“People received personalised care in a safe way.” from the report
Risk management
Risks were assessed and staff had detailed guidance. Inspectors saw a positive approach to supporting people to take safe risks and use their local community.
“Detailed risk management plans helped staff to manage and reduce risks.” from the report
Safe staffing and medicines
Enough staff were on duty during the visit. Medicines were given by trained staff and checks were used to identify errors quickly.
“People required one to one support from staff to keep them safe.” from the report
Management checks
Regular audits and monitoring showed good oversight of the service. Managers worked alongside staff and shared learning when things went wrong.
“Quality assurance processes and the results of regular audits demonstrated good governance and effective risk management.” from the report
No registered manager
needs fixingThere was no CQC-registered manager when inspectors visited. The new manager had applied to become registered and was supported by the wider management team.
“The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission.” from the report
- 01Has the manager now been registered with the CQC, and who is responsible for the home until that happens?
- 02How will you make sure one-to-one staffing is maintained for each person, including when staff are absent?
- 03How do you record and review incidents, and what changes have been made as a result of previous incidents?
- 04How are families involved in reviewing care plans and people's personal goals?
- 05What were the ratings for Effective, Caring and Responsive at the previous full inspection?
This was a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led only; the other ratings carried over from the previous comprehensive inspection. This explanation was written from the published report of 18 December 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.
What inspectors found, June 2018
Hamilton House was rated Good; inspectors found safe, kind and personalised care, with the home still settling after management changes.
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection on 13 February 2018. One inspector and a specialist adviser visited, spoke with people, relatives, staff and professionals, and checked care, medicine and other records.
The home supported five people on the inspection day and could accommodate six people with learning disabilities. Inspectors found people were safe, treated kindly and supported to make choices, stay independent and take part in activities they enjoyed.
All five areas were rated Good: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. This was the same overall rating as the previous inspection in October 2016.
Kind and respectful staff
Inspectors saw a calm home where staff treated people with kindness and respect. Staff knew people's histories, preferences and important relationships.
“The atmosphere in the home was calm and relaxed. Staff interactions with people were kind and respectful.” from the report
Safe, individual support
Staff understood people's individual risks and used care plans to help people stay safe while continuing activities and independence.
“Staff understood people's individual risks as these had been assessed and reviewed as required.” from the report
Choice and independence
People were involved in daily decisions and could move around freely, use the kitchen, manage aspects of their home and pursue their own interests.
“Staff empowered people to take control of their daily lives, make decisions and maintain their independence as much as possible.” from the report
Listening to people
Residents, relatives and staff had opportunities to share their views. Their feedback was used in areas such as decoration, meals and activities.
“Regular resident meetings were held, which covered topics such as meals for the following week, up and coming activities and what people would like to do in the near future.” from the report
Recent management changes
minorRelatives and staff said that several managers over the previous few years had made the home feel unsettled. They were positive about the new manager, but families may want to check that leadership remains stable.
“Hamilton House has been through a period of change with different managers supporting the home over the past few years.” from the report
- 01How have staffing levels and the mix of staff skills developed since inspectors identified a need for more staff who could drive?
- 02How are you making sure new staff are experienced before supporting people alone in the community?
- 03What progress has been made on the provider's action plan for improving people's experiences?
- 04How has the management team remained stable since this inspection?
- 05How are residents and relatives involved in deciding activities, meals and changes to the home?
This was an unannounced comprehensive inspection covering all five CQC questions, with care, medicines, maintenance, staffing and quality records reviewed. This explanation was written from the published report of 6 June 2018 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 Hamilton House
4 rated inspections over 4 years: the service has held its Good rating throughout.
- December 2019Goodcurrent ratingstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- June 2018Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodWell-led: Good
- December 2016Goodstayed GoodSafe: GoodEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- January 2016GoodSafe: Requires improvementEffective: GoodCaring: GoodResponsive: GoodWell-led: Good
- September 2014
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2013
Report published without a new overall rating.
- November 2012
Report published without a new overall rating.
- February 2012
Registered with the Care Quality Commission on 21 February 2012.
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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At least 100 live-in carers within about an hour of Worcestershire
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. 85 can care for a couple. 9 years' experience on average.
“I have never met a person who is so kind and thinks about others before himself to such an extent as Chris Malagala.”
“She was very caring, kind and patient to all his needs, she built up a wondetful rapport with him, she was dedicated and was there for him through good times as well as through the tough times”
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.